Top Ten Reasons Why Educators Should Never Use True-False Questions

Of all the types of test questions, which we in the trade call "test items," none is more insidious and ineffective as the true-false item.

Here, then, are the Top Ten reasons why true-false questions should be banished forever.

#10  Unless great care is taken, true-false questions are just too ambiguous. Like Tilda Swinson's gender.

#9  They can test only specific, typically unimportant details. Yes, the Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. Who cares?

#8  It's too easy for any clueless nabob to guess and be correct at least half of the time. Right, Lindsey?

#7  They deal in too many absolutes, and nothing in health care is absolute. Well, not many things, anyway.

#6  They can't discriminate between someone who knows and someone who doesn't. And as Mel Gibson might say ... Discrimation? Bad.

#5  The written T looks too much like the written F. It's that one little line that'll getcha.

#4.  It's too easy to write a bad one.

#3  Measures only the lowest learning levels. I'm talking lower than Amanda Bynes' self-esteem.

#2  Students generally think they're unfair. And they would be right.

And the #1 reason true-false questions should be banished forever:

Ain't nuttin' better for students who cheat.