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 work email: [log in to unmask] home email: [log in to unmask] work fax: 405.325.7688 work phone: 405.325.5690 home phone: 405.364.5347 cell phone: 405.808.9344 home address: 4112 Harrogate Drive Norman, OK 73072