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Hello Duane and others:

I realize that there may be disciplinary differences here (I teach
literature), but my approach to RAT's is to insist that they are
pre-tests -- preparation tests - only.  If I assign a unit of reading or
study material, then I ask myself this question:  "What main / important
ideas and concepts in this unit can I reasonably expect my students to
have understood WITHOUT my help or further classroom explanation and
elaboration?"  The answers to that question point me to my RAT questions
 and help me to keep them fair. In other words, the test focuses on
attentive reading and comprehension of material for more extensive
classroom discussion and application. I think that it is also important
to explain this principle to students as transparently as possible.

[BTW -- multiple choice test guidelines usually advise against using 5
choices.  It complicates the test and gains you little or nothing in
statistical reliability.]

Regards,
Brent




>>> "Stock, Duane R."  10/10/10 12:07 AM >>>
My TBL students have complained that my RATS are too difficult.   This
occurs even though I try to limit  RAT questions to lower levels Bloom's
taxonomy of educational objectives ("knowledge" , "comprehension" and
"application" ---- no "synthesis" or "evaluation"  and no computations).
 Also, it occurs even though I give them  tips ( a list of terms )
before the RAT is given.

So, I am thinking about  giving stronger tips.  For example, consider
the below question.

6.         The gap ratio expresses the repricing gap for a given time
period as a percentage of

                                    a.         equity.

                                    b.         total liabilities.

                                    c.         current liabilities.

                                    d.         total assets.

                                    e.         current assets.

I could give them the premise of all or some of the questions before the
RAT.   That is I would give them the below before the RAT.

The gap ratio expresses the repricing gap for a given time period as a
percentage of

I worry this could make it too easy.  Has anyone out there done this? 
Any advice?

Thanks in advance.




Duane R. Stock, Price Investments Professor
205A  Adams Hall
Price College of Business
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK  73019

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                                Norman, OK  73072