Well-designed quiz questions can assess higher-order thinking skills such as interpretation, application, analysis, inference, and problem-solving. These kinds of questions not only deepen student learning but also give you better insight into how well students can use what they’ve learned.
Below are examples of quiz questions that promote higher-order thinking, along with explanations of why they work.
Applying knowledge in context
This type of question asks students to evaluate multiple pieces of information and determine what matters most in a real-world scenario. It promotes judgment, prioritization, and the ability to apply knowledge in context.
Example
This example reflects a scenario commonly used in nursing courses.
A nurse is visiting a patient at home. The patient is a 78-year-old male who has had Parkinson’s disease for the past five years. Which of the following observations has the greatest implications for the patient’s care?
- The patient’s grandchildren have not been to visit for more than a month.
- The patient’s home has numerous throw rugs.
- The patient has a towel wrapped around his neck that his wife uses to wipe his face.
- The patient is gripping the arms of his chair tightly.
Drawing conclusions from multiple sources
This type of question requires students to combine multiple pieces of information to determine an outcome. It strengthens analytical thinking and the ability to work across concepts.
Example
This example reflects a type of problem commonly used in economics courses.
If the nominal gross national product (GNP) increases at a rate of 10% per year and the GNP deflator increases at 8% each year, then the real GNP ____.
- remains constant
- increases by 10%
- decreases by 8%
- increases by 2%
Analyzing relationships and analogies
This type of question asks students to analyze relationships between concepts and identify parallel structures. It promotes abstract reasoning and deeper conceptual understanding.
Example
This example reflects a type of reasoning task used across many disciplines.
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Interpreting data and evaluating claims
This type of question asks students to interpret data and evaluate the accuracy of conclusions. It builds critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning skills.
Example
This example reflects a type of question commonly used in data-rich disciplines. Assume that students are shown a bar chart before the question is provided.
Based on the bar chart showing international drug usage rates and without any other data, which conclusions can you draw from Figure 17?
- An average American uses more drugs than citizens of any country except the United Kingdom.
- An average Mexican or Chilean consumes fewer drugs than citizens from other countries.
- Americans are more likely than citizens of other countries to use new drugs.
- The Japanese have regulations that make it difficult to obtain new drugs.
Identifying causal relationships
This type of question requires students to understand cause-and-effect relationships and how multiple factors interact. It supports systems thinking and deeper analysis.
Example
This example reflects a type of question commonly used in history courses.
Which of these historical developments in Western Europe caused the other three?
- Decline of trade
- Fall of Rome
- Breakdown of central government
- Rise in the power of the Roman Catholic Church
Extracting and applying information from limited data
This type of question challenges students to extract meaning from a limited dataset and apply their knowledge across multiple prompts. It develops pattern recognition and analytical efficiency.
Example
This example reflects a type of task commonly used in science courses.
Based on three chemical symbols labeled A, B, and C. Which of the elements has:
- the largest atomic weight?
- the largest atomic number?
- the lowest boiling point?
- the lowest melting point?
- the highest density?
- the fewest electrons?
- the fewest protons?
Higher-order quiz questions don’t have to be longer or more complicated, but they should be more intentional. By designing questions that require students to think, apply, and analyze, you turn quizzes into meaningful learning opportunities rather than simple checkpoints.
