What Are the Benefits of Incorporating Redundancy in Math Test Questions?

[TheMathNoob]

Homework Statement

I have the proposal of making a math test thread in which instructors test student's knowledge in a specific topic. If you agree then post the same thread.

For example: you have the topics that will be covered in your next exam such as permutations, combinations, bayes theorem, random variables etc. Then some instructor will proceed to challenge your knowledge in those topics with questions.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[nuuskur]

Could you elaborate on this, I don't exactly understand.
Can you make a specific example?

 

[haruspex]

There is a wealth of problems already in these Forums. Just search the topic.

That said, I notice that when students do make up problems for themselves and post them, plus attempted solutions, it is frequently the case that the problems just don't 'work'. This suggests that having to devise problems is an even better test of understanding than solving them.

One area that is perhaps under-probed by the usual questions is redundant information. Relatively few throw in red herrings, so forcing the student to figure out which data are relevant. In the real world, that happens all the time.