LISTEN TO ARTICLESynthesized Narration • 0:00 / 0:00

For many, the easiest type of examination is the multiple-choice exam—for it makes their lives easier. Less effort in reviewing is needed because of the choices. Each letter possesses a 25% probability of success to get that one point. However, how can we ensure that this type of exam is enough to enhance 21st century skills of teenagers in today’s generation? Our country today continues to face learning gaps in education. There have been several changes made already in our educational curriculum yet there are only a few to no signs of improvement. There are still learners who cannot analyze questions and make use of their critical thinking—while some cannot even produce a creative output in certain subjects. The multiple-choice exam is also a factor of this—since, you are no longer making use of your thinking, but rather you’re just answering with what you are feeling. Intuition or gut feeling as some may call it. Some learners even give tips on how to answer the exam of multiple-choice questions like a pro. The most famous recommendation is to answer “C” in each number for it stands for Christ. The said type of exam only measures the students’ lowest thinking skills since you only base off on your memory and understanding, rather than testing their analytical ability. Over multiple choices, why not make the examination more about enhancing the problem-solving and critical analysis skills of learners? Questions printed on paper are not enough for improvement—since, in reality, learning should be more than an understanding. For example, instead of printed papers with questions regarding the readiness in a typhoon, why not let the students make a roleplay about that topic? In that way, they are just not understanding it—but they are learning it. When it comes to examinations, especially if I took it unprepared, my last hope will always be the essay part. It allows me to use more of my thinking and analysis skills. Low scores? I fear them no more, for there are questions whose answers are neither wrong nor right. As the Department of Education gives emphasis on “4cs”—which is the communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills of learners—there must be actions taken in order for these to be enriched. Skills cannot be enhanced further if the examination has options to choose from. Even by just letting them answer a rhetorical question, it allows them to think—which measures more of the students’ abilities. However, isn’t that just ridiculous to think if DepEd gives importance to the 4cs and yet continues to give multiple choices as a type of exam? For what, to provide comfort towards students’ or to create a blockage for their progress?