Study of students’ perception regarding open book assessment and closed book exams

Abstract

Background-An “open book examination” is one in which students are allowed to refer to their notes, textbooks, and other approved material while answering questions. This practice is mostly unheard of. It is ideally suited to professional courses like MBBS which especially aim at developing the skills of critical and creative thinking. Materials and Methods – After a lecture on chapter Medical Law and ethics 100 students selected through simple random sampling after obtaining informed consent were given Pre test. Then they were divided into 2 groups. The topic Medical Law and Ethics was divided into 2 Parts. The students of Group 1 undertook open book exams for Part A and Self study exams for Part B and for students of Group 2 it was reversed. Post test was done with the validated pretest questions. To check the retention another open book exam was performed after a month. The students also answered a questionnaire on their perception of open book exams and the reason for their preferences and it was analyzed. Conclusion – A total of 100 students participated in the study. In that 60 were medium achievers and 40 were high achievers. Both medium achievers and high achievers obtained high scores in open book exams. Most of the students felt that Open book exam is less time-consuming for preparation, less stressful and increased their Self-directed learning. Open book exams is better to the closed book exams and inculcates the habit of life-long learners.