A Bloom's Taxonomy-based analysis of the questions in the grade 12 English final exam

Tusi Nasrabadi, Mohammadreza; Lahooti, Siamak; Salimi, Mohammad

doi:10.22034/jei.2025.501232.3135

A Bloom's Taxonomy-based analysis of the questions in the grade 12 English final exam

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mohammadreza Tusi Nasrabadi ¹

siamak Lahooti ²

Mohammad Salimi ²

¹ Assistant professor of English language teaching, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

² Farhangian University

10.22034/jei.2025.501232.3135

Abstract

This research aimed to identify and analyze the types and cognitive levels of questions in the 12th-grade English final exams in Iran over the past decade (2014-2023). The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to categorize questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).The findings revealed a predominance of questions at the lower levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, particularly those requiring knowledge and comprehension. Conversely, questions demanding higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, and creation were less frequent. This indicates a strong emphasis on basic knowledge and understanding in the exams, with relatively limited attention given to fostering critical thinking and creativity.The research highlights the need to re-evaluate the alignment of the exams with the broader educational goals of promoting higher-order thinking skills. It suggests that there is a gap between the stated objectives of education and the actual assessment practices. The study recommends that future exam development should place greater emphasis on questions that require students to analyze, evaluate, and create, thereby fostering deeper learning and preparing students for the complexities of the 21st century. The study recommends that future exam development should place greater emphasis on questions that require students to analyze, evaluate, and create, thereby fostering deeper learning and preparing students for the complexities of the 21st

Keywords

cognitive processes

critical thinking

Final exam

ٍEnglish language

Bloom'؛ s taxonomy

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