Controlled and automatic influences of multiple choice testing

Multiple-choice (MC) practice tests can enhance later test performance, especially when accompanied by corrective feedback. However, feedback can sometimes be erroneously endorsed if MC questions are related to practice questions but have different answers. This study investigated the role of corrective feedback and false recognition in producing this impairment. Experiment 1 showed that providing feedback on the practice test impaired later related-item performance more than when no feedback was provided. Experiment 2 showed that related-item impairment only occurred when participants believed the related questions were repeated. Experiment 2 also ascertained the nature of the mechanism driving the impairment with opposition instructions. Specifically, participants were told that there were questions related to those on the practice test, but that the answers were never the same. These instructions had minimal effect on performance, suggesting that the impairment is caused by automatic false recognition.Keywords: multiple-choice, testing effect, controlled and automatic memory influences, familiarity, false recognition