How should the number of matching test questions relate to the number of matches?

In developing effective matching test questions, the number of matching questions should ideally exceed the number of matches provided. This approach serves several important educational purposes.

By having more questions than matches, instructors can ensure a comprehensive assessment of students' knowledge. This design encourages critical thinking and requires students to not only recognize but also recall information from memory, enhancing their cognitive engagement with the material. If the number of questions were equal to the matches, it could lead to a simpler test format where students might guess answers rather than substantively engage with the content.

Furthermore, exceeding the number of matches allows for a broader evaluation of concepts and provides more opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding and mastery of the subject matter. Such a structure also minimizes the likelihood of students relying solely on elimination strategies, as they will be compelled to make more thoughtful connections between terms and concepts.

This strategy ultimately contributes to higher educational standards and a more effective measurement of student learning outcomes in a matching format.