This document defines and discusses short answer questions (SAQs). SAQs are open-ended exam questions that require students to write out an answer rather than select from multiple choices. The structure of SAQs focuses on recalling specific facts and knowledge. Advantages include easy scoring, reduced guessing, and better content coverage than essays. Disadvantages include minor errors affecting scores and difficulty grading some questions. Examples provided demonstrate good SAQs that have a single correct answer and a bad example that has multiple possible answers.

1. SHORT ANSWER
QUESTIONS
SAQ
Presented by
Rahul Gusain
Msc (N) Ist year

2. objective
•Define the short answer questions
•Formulate the structure of question
•Enlist the advantages of SAQ
•Enlist the disadvantages of SAQ
•Explain the Examples of SAQ.

3. Definition
• Short answer questions (SAQ) are open ended
question that require students to create an
answer, rather than choose from a selection of
responses.
• They are commonly used in examination to
assess the basic knowledge and understanding
of a topic before more in depth assessment
question.

4. Structure of short answer
• Design for recall of specific names, facts, and basic
knowledge.
• Focus the question so there a limited number of
possible correct responses (or only one) in order to
discriminate achievement.
• Each item should deal with important content area.
• Use action oriented precise verbs.

5. Contd…
• When a negative item is used, emphasize the negative
word or phrase, that is, underline, capitalize, or
italicize, for example, "DOES NOT.“
• SAQ tend to test the lower levels of the cognitive
domain and assess mainly knowledge, comprehension
and some application.
• They are most effective when there can be no
disagreement about acceptable answers.

6. Advantages
• Easy to score, reliability of the score is improved,
quick response.
• Reduces possibility of guessing.
• Better content coverage as compared to long essay
question.
• Improved objectivity as the marking scheme can be
structured and predetermined
• Higher chances for assessment of clinical reasoning.

7. Disadvantage
• Correct responses may appear incorrect due to
minor errors such as misspellings, order of
words, etc.
• There can be difficulty in grading if the
question is not worded carefully.
• also, if a large amount of knowledge needs to
be tested, it is more efficient to use MCQs.

8. Examples
Good Example of a Short Answer Question
• In our class discussion on regression, what two terms
were used interchangeably with the term "independent
variable"?
• Answer: predictor variable and explanatory variable

9. Bad Example of a ShortAnswer Question
• What does the acronym ENIAC mean?
• Answer: Electronic Numerical Integrator and
Calculator

10. Other Examples
Q- Canada turned 100 years old in the year?
A- 2011.
Q- In which year did wellington defeat napoleon at
waterloo?
A - 1735.
Q- Neurocysticercosis is caused by?
A- tapeworm
Q- if a room measures 7metre by 4metre, the perimeter
is ?
A- 22m

11. Summary

12. conclusion