FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Assessment and CritiqueHard
An instructor asks a student, 'Should a pilot fly a stabilized approach at a constant descent rate, or reduce power early and glide the last portion?' Both techniques can be defended as correct depending on aircraft and conditions, so the student could argue either way. This illustrates which type of ineffective question?
- ABewilderment question
- BPuzzle question
- CToss-up question
- DOversize question
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Toss-up question
A toss-up question is one for which there is more than one defensible correct answer, making it difficult to evaluate the student's actual understanding since either response could be justified. Effective questions should have one clear, definite answer.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A bewilderment question combines multiple unrelated ideas, not competing valid choices.
- B. A puzzle question requires elaborate computation, not a debate between equally valid options.
- D. An oversize question is overly broad, not one with two competing valid answers.
Toss-up Question
An ineffective question that has more than one equally correct or defensible answer, preventing clear assessment of student understanding.
- Creates ambiguity about what the 'right' answer is
- Difficult to fairly evaluate student response
- Contrast with effective questions, which need a single definite answer
Memory trick: Toss-up = flipping a coin—either side could 'win.'