Liaqat Ali, Sabina Nisar, Aisha Ghassan.
An efficient, cost effective and time saving method of examination based on peer review and MCQ design-initial experience.
Isra Med J Jan ;5(1):9-12.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of 1st year MBBS students using peer reviewed MCQ examination method believed to be efficient, cost effective and time saving. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study PLACE AND DURATION: Clinical Skill Lab (CSL), Foundation University Medical College Islamabad from Jan 2012 to June 2012 METHODOLOGY: 60 MCQs. (30 descriptive and 30 slides of 5 options type) covering all domains and MCQ based learning ability of students were administered at the end of SMS and Breast module. The time given to solve each question was 1 minute. Fake roll numbers for the examination were checked individually by an invigilator. Papers collected after 60 minutes from one side were redistributed to students on other side of the hall and each student had to check the paper again writing his true roll number. It was again cross checked by invigilators. In 60 minutes feedback session the correct answers out of 5 options were projected on the screen and reasons of correctness were also explained. The whole feedback session lasted 60 minutes. All papers were collected and checked by invigilators to authenticate the correctness of paper checking by students. All students were required to fill in feedback performa. RESULT: Out of 150 student's papers with 300 components of each paper (Total of 45000 components) only 9 mistakes were picked up during rechecking of papers by invigilators. These 9 mistakes were labeled as genuine mistakes rather than intentional. This clearly speaks of authenticity of trust shown by first year students. The whole examination was completed in 3 hours, students given feedback on their performance and paper checking with result declaration completed within one hour of feedback session. CONCLUSION: The new method of MCQ examination addresses examination methodology, peer paper checking, feedback issues more efficiently, swiftly and more accurately with positive feedback.

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