An open-book exam is one in which students have access to their study materials, such as books, notes and other resources during the exam. Instead of multiple choice questions or short answer questions, you ask students to write extended answers to open-ended questions that assess application and understanding of the material. An open-book exam has several advantages:
- Promotion of understanding: because students have access to their study materials, they can review and expand on the material, leading to a better understanding of the subject.
- Incentive for self-study: the fact that students have access to their study materials during the exam promotes their responsibility and motivation to do self-study.
- Realistic simulation: an open-book exam with open questions is a realistic simulation of the professional field, where professionals often have access to reference materials during their work.
- Promotion of application skills: asking open-ended questions requires students not only to understand the material but also to be able to apply it, which promotes application skills.
- Reducing anxiety: some students may be anxious about exams, but having access to study materials during the exam can reduce this anxiety.
To set an open-book exam with open questions, for example, follow these steps:
- Set clear objectives of the exam and what competences and skills you want to test.
- Form clear questions that focus on the application and understanding of the material and invite students to write a comprehensive answer.
- Define the criteria for assessment by which you will judge the students’ answer. These may include, for example, originality, accuracy, depth and insight.
- Give students sufficient time to write answers and let them know how much time they have and whether they can take breaks.
Want to know more?
- How to combine open and closed questions in a test – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
See also: Openboektentamen met gesloten vragen [link invoegen], take home tentamen
Tools: TestVision
VU Taxonomy?
Programme specific skills in applying knowledge and understandingWritten communication
What total group size?
More than three hundredMore than one hundred
Between fifty and one hundred
Up to fifty
Up to twenty five