Patterns to Look for and Questions to Ask When Evaluating Multiple-Choice and Fact Pattern Essay Exam Results

Dr. Amy L. Jarmon, Assistant Dean for Academic Success Programs

TexasTechUniversitySchool of Law

  • For disappointing results on multiple-choice exams, you will want to look for specific patterns of errors in your wrong answers. Actually make a log of why you got each question wrong. Here are some of the error patterns you can consider:
  • Did you misread the instructions given for the exam or for particular sections of the exam?
  • Did you get panicky because the fact patterns were different than you thought they would be or the questions were harder than you expected?
  • Were there strings of wrong answers due to how you were feeling or reacting at that point in the exam?
  • Did you misread any fact patterns, questions asked, or answer choices?
  • Did you lose track of the facts or rules or exceptions to the rules that you needed to consider?
  • Did you choose a general correct answer rather than the desired specific correct answer?
  • Did you read too much into the fact patterns, questions asked, or answer choices?
  • Did you get confused by double negatives or changes to “worst answer” scenarios?
  • Did you get confused by combination answers where you had to find the best combination of the possible choices?
  • Did you get confused by “none of the above” or “all of the above” choices?
  • Did you choose an answer for the wrong role (example: chose the correct answer for the defendant’s attorney when asked for the plaintiff’s attorney answer)?
  • Did you miss the significance of the “because” or “unless” or other modifying string in the answer choices?
  • Did you answer the question asked or a question you rather answer?
  • Had you studied the topic or sub-topic recently or did you assume it would not be on the exam?
  • Did you understand the topic or sub-topic of the question to the depth that you needed?
  • Did you choose an answer by “gut reaction” or quick judgment rather than carefully reading the full answer and considering it in light of the facts and rules?
  • Did you second-guess an earlier answer choice because you were confused or panicky or argued yourself out of the logical best choice?
  • Did you run out of time and have to hurry through questions?
  • Did you finish way ahead of your classmates and not give careful thought as you answered the questions initially?
  • Did you make Scantron mistakes by “misbubbling” the choice or misaligning the questions and answers?
  • Did you practice enough questions throughout the semester to hone your skills and prepare for a variety of scenarios?
  • Were there other patterns of error that you noticed?
  • For disappointing results on fact pattern essay exams, you want to consider a variety of possible errors. Some of the questions you want to ask AND make notes as to what you find out are:
  • Did you misread the instructions for the exam?
  • Did you use the special format (example: IRAC) or word/page limits required by your professor?
  • Did you answer the specific question(s) asked after each fact pattern?
  • Did you spot all of the main issues?
  • Did you spot all of the sub-issues?
  • Did you make up issues or sub-issues that were not present?
  • Did you outline your answer thoroughly before you started writing?
  • Did you state any rules or exceptions to rules precisely?
  • If multiple rules applied to an issue, did you discuss each rule?
  • Did you thoroughly analyze each issue or sub-issue?
  • Did you indicate the issue in the format desired by your professor?
  • Did you discuss arguments for both parties?
  • Did you fully explain each point that you made (the conclusion plus the why)?
  • Did you include all of the facts needed to support your arguments?
  • Did you avoid assumptions regarding the facts?
  • Did you avoid deleting or making up facts?
  • Did you cite appropriate cases that had similar or different results?
  • Did you organize your answer in a logical way that was easy for the professor to follow?
  • Did you understand the material to the depth that you needed to know to do well?
  • Had you studied the topic or sub-topic or did you assume it would not be on the exam?
  • Did you write about so much detail that you missed the “big picture” of the question?
  • Did you avoid verbose, convoluted, and flowery writing?
  • Did you avoid unnecessary introductions?
  • Did you avoid repetition?
  • Did you avoid writing about information that was unrelated to the issues?
  • Was your handwriting legible? Was your typing accurate?
  • Did you run out of time because you did not use a strict time chart technique?
  • Did you finish way ahead of your classmates?
  • Did you practice enough questions throughout the semester to hone your skills and prepare for a variety of scenarios?
  • Did you know the “black letter law” but not how to apply it?
  • Were there other errors?