Classification of written examinations in dental education in Norway according to educational aims

The purpose of the present study was to assess to what extent retention of factual knowledge or higher cognitive abilities, such as analytical/critical evaluation, were required by the students in the written examinations in clinical departments of dental schools in Norway in 1973-1975. A modified version of Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives was used to classify the examination questions. Most of the questions were covered by the teaching program and concerned factural knowledge. When clinical examinations included a complete patient history and/or radiographs, judgment of the available information was demanded from the students. A great number of minor questions usually represented a lower taxonomic level than the use of a few essay questions.