Student Opinions on MoNE Open-ended Written Examination Practices: A Mixed Method Research

The Ministry of National Education has introduced open-ended written exams since the 2023-2024 academic year. One of the ways to find out how the decisions taken by the official authorities are responded to in the field is to reveal the opinions of the people who are first-hand addressees of the practice. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to examine student opinions on MoNE's open-ended written exams. The research was conducted with a mixed method approach. The participants consisted of 408 6th grade students in the quantitative dimension and 16 students in the qualitative dimension. The data were collected through the “Self-Efficacy Perception Scale for Open-Ended Written Examinations”, “The Reading Attitude and Habits Scale”, focus group interviews and reflective essays. In the study, it was determined that the ratio of students whose writing self-efficacy scores were above and below the arithmetic mean was largely equal and their reading habits were at a low level. Within the scope of the research, it was seen that students had negative feelings and thoughts about open-ended written exams and criticized the new practice with their peers, while at the same time, it was determined that open-ended written exams caused changes in students' study habits and that their families supported the new assessment and evaluation system put into practice by the Ministry. Based on the results of the research, it is thought that open-ended written exams will contribute to the development of students' reading and writing skills, but some changes to be made in written exams with open-ended questions can make the exams more qualified.