The impact of multiple-choice and short-answer questions on EFL learners’ test performance

Abstract

The potential influence of multiple-choice and short-answer question formats on students’ test performance has been a subject for research for a long time. It is established that EFL learners show different performance and have different attitudes towards MCQ and SAQ items. This study aims to determine how the MCQ and SAQ question types can affect students’ test performance. Specifically, the study investigates whether the learners’ proficiency has an impact on their performance of MC and SA question formats, if the constant practice of SAQ items can result in better performance of MC format and overall language test, and what are the students’ perceptions towards SAQ and MCQ formats. For this purpose, 19 students from two Low-Intermediate Proficiency language level groups participated in the research. The findings showed that students’ performance on both MCQ and SAQ formats does not differ much. Moreover, the learners’ test performance is mainly affected by their language proficiency. In addition, students give preference to both MC and SA question types, although mentioning that in most cases the MC tasks are easier to complete. The results of the current study suggest that the implementation of short-answer question format in language tests can not only positively affect the validity and reliability of the assessment but also provide the teachers with insightful feedback about learners’ course achievements. On this basis, it is preferable to mix both MCQ and SAQ formats when assessing small groups of EFL learners.