When constructing essay questions, why is it important to avoid overly broad questions?

Question

Broad questions can confuse students and make it difficult to focus their answers.


Broad questions are essential for testing a student's knowledge of the subject.


Broad questions test all aspects of the subject at once and this makes them undesirable.


Broad questions make grading harder and lmore troublesome for the markers

Answer 1

The most accurate and comprehensive reason for avoiding overly broad essay questions is:

Broad questions can confuse students and make it difficult to focus their answers.

When questions are too broad, students may struggle to identify the specific aspects of the topic they should address, leading to vague or unfocused responses. This can ultimately hinder their ability to demonstrate their understanding and apply their knowledge effectively. Additionally, broad questions may result in varied interpretations, further complicating the assessment process for both students and instructors. Therefore, crafting more targeted and specific questions encourages clearer, more focused answers that better reflect a student's understanding of the material.