Is Bloom's Taxonomy reflected in the response pattern to MCQ items?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out whether taxonomic classification of MCQ items reflected differences in student behaviour. The data from one of this University's official open-book exams, in which students answer sixty MCQ items distributed over twelve content-areas of physiology were examined. The responses from all 153 candidates were then subjected to factor analysis. Analysis of individual item scores was unrewarding. Analysis of scores for item-groups based on taxonomy and content resulted in the identification of three factors, which carried predominant loadings from recall or look-up items, interpretation items, and problem-solving items, respectively.