Over the next few weeks, I plan to spend some time covering the basics of the different sorts of assessment tools that are available for our courses. Each of these techniques have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. I do not view any one of them as the “ideal” method for assessment. They are, after all just tools that we use in trying to measure student learning, instructional effectiveness, and programmatic efficacy. Like any other tool – they can be handled skillfully or they can be poorly wielded. The fact that some amateur carpenters might injure themselves while using a nail gun does not the nailer a poor tool. A poorly conceived assessment strategy is similarly unproductive (though typically less physically painful). A master carpenter will use a variety of tools (each carefully chosen and carefully applied) to complete a task. Likewise, when we intelligently select from our assessment toolbox and apply them in our courses we can greatly enhance our students’ learning. This week, I would like to begin with a much-maligned assessment tool: the selected response (multiple-choice) exam.