The Effect of Answer Switching on Multiple-choice Test Performance

Background and In recent decades، several studies have been performed to assess the impact of answer switching on multiple choice questions final score. But still there is a general belief that changing the initial response could decrease the test scores. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of answer changing on final scores in paramedical students. The study population included 145 operating room students studying in undergraduate courses. They answered 40 multiple choice questions، all of which were the four-option type. The impact of changes in selecting correct answer on final scores was analyzed. Answer switching in 57. 9% was from a wrong answer to a correct one. While، change of answer in 22% was from correct to wrong. In 20. 1% the changes were from incorrect option to another incorrect option. In this study changing the initial response lead to selecting a correct answer.