Amy Sheldon

SUNY Geneseo

Tiered exams can be used in any course.

Hopefully, students will have mastered the material to be covered on the exam. Exam content can be any subject.

Tiered exams are used in lieu of traditional exams.

Any content is applicable.

Tiered exams can be written to include challenging higher order thinking questions such as analyzing &/or synthesizing data, formulating hypotheses, and evaluating models.

Tiered exams promote working in groups. Otherwise they can be written to involve other skills goals, depending on the instructor's objectives and creativity.

Tiered exams provide a means of determining individual comprehension of subject matter through traditional exams, followed by an opportunity for students to improve their understanding through peer-teaching &/or utilizing resources on open exams. They consist of two parts, A and B. Part A is a traditional closed-book exam. Immediately after completing Part A, students are given Part B. Part B is an open-book, open-note exam during which students are encouraged to discuss the questions. Some or all of questions from Part A appear on Part B. This encourages students to identify and correct their weaknesses with the material.

Parts A and B are weighted to obtain a final exam score. Recommended weighting is 70—80% Part A, 20—30% Part B. It is recommend that students not be penalized for answering a question wrong on Part B if they answered the same question correctly on Part A.