Table 4.

Strengths and limitations of two approaches for pre- and post-event assessment using MCQs

Perspective	Same pre- and post-MCQs	Different pre- and post-MCQs
Learners (participants)	Strengths: More focused on key points Less time required to complete pre-event	Strengths: More topics covered More feedback received
	Limitations: No feedback before the event (answers and rationale hidden) Fewer topic, fewer opportunities to receive key messages	Limitations: More items to complete Potential for repetition in areas where some learners have no gaps
Faculty	Strengths: Helps identify any areas where participants have post-event gaps Less time required to develop items	Strengths: More chance to identify topics where learners have gaps More objective data to review
	Limitations: Fewer opportunities to deliver key messages Less overall information about participants	Limitations: More items to develop and reach consensus More items to be familiar with before each event
Assessment strategy and system (and depending on the overall goals)	Strengths: More accurate data for showing changes between pre and post Fewer items to validate and manage	Strengths: More learning offered to participants – feedback before and after event Possibly less focus on “increases in scores” in a non-exam setting
	Limitations: No pre-event learning opportunity for participants Less data for faculty to review for future enhancements	Limitations: Less accurate for measuring pre-post change (or requires more validation) More items to validate and manage