Expert questions use of multiple choice tests

Expert questions use of multiple choice tests

JAKARTA (JP): A senior education expert is questioning the effectiveness of using multiple choice tests to assess the intelligence and capability of students.

Makaminan Makagiansar, the head of the National Education Advisory Board, says multiple choice tests evaluate a student's abilities based on only one answer, when it should be determined by many factors.

"The proficiency of a student in a certain field of study is a complex matter which cannot be determined by one indicator only," he said on Tuesday.

"Final tests, such as the Ebtanas, should also contain questions which test the student's intelligence," he said referring to the Indonesian term for final examinations in national primary, junior and senior high schools.

Most national final examinations are made up of multiple choice questions. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for preparing the Ebtanas each year.

Makaminan admitted that it was difficult to design Ebtanas test questions that also assess a student's intelligence. "Changing the type of questions is easy but we have yet to figure out what they should be replaced with," he said, adding that the ministry lacked experts in the field.

The entrance tests for coveted seats at top state universities are also dominated by multiple choice questions.

Makaminan was speaking after accepting the Satyalancana Karya Satya award from Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro in recognition for his 30 years of service to the ministry. Wardiman presented the same awards to Director General for Informal Education, Youth and Sports Soedijarto and Director for Sports Sri Sudono Sumarto.

The minister also inaugurated Saini Kosim as the ministry's director of arts to replace retiring Soetopo Cokrohamijoyo. Saini was previously Director at the Indonesian Academy of Dance Arts in Bandung, West Java. (pwn)