Third-year Students‘ Cognition and Satisfaction Towards Multiple Choice Questions in Al Neelain University, Sudan; 2018

Abstract

Abstract Introduction:Assessment is a critical component in medical education and selecting an assessment method for measuring students’ performance remains a difficult task for many medical institutions. The study aimed to investigate the level of satisfaction among third-year students regarding MCQs in pathology exam, at the Faculty of Medicine-Al Neelain University. Methodology:This was a Quantitative Cross-Sectional study design done in the Faculty of Medicine Al Neelain University. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data using a 5 points Likert scale.The data was analyzed with SPSS version 20. A p.value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result: A total of 108 students participated in the study: 36.1% medicine, 21.3% dentistry and 42.6% physiotherapy. One third (3l.5%)of students mentioned that they had some knowledge about MCQ,perceived that MCQs has structure, guidelines (33.7%)and gave suggestions for some changes in MCQs format and structure (34.7%). Medical and dental students were satisfied with MCQs as the most flexible assessment method. Medical and physiotherapy candidates believed that MCQs was a fair assessment method and they preferred SBA rather than T/F questions (42.5- 50%).Howerver;medical participants were not satisfied with time given for exam, dentals perceived that mcqs had no guidelines , while physiotherapy students believed that questions were not easy to understand or answer. Contradicting result was obtained, as some believed that MCQs could test only factual knowledge whereas others believed that it helped them to study in depth. There was no significant difference in knowledge and satisfaction cf students in the three faculties and within each group. Conclusion: All students had some general knowledge about MCQs, regarding their structure, guidelines. However students were dissatified with MCQs time given, having context, easy to understand and answer and testing higher cognitive skills. The researcher recommends more studies including all students to properly evaluate students‘ perception towards MCQs.