A multiple choice exam would best evaluate what domain?

A multiple choice exam is particularly effective for evaluating the cognitive domain of learning. This domain encompasses knowledge and understanding, which includes recalling facts, applying knowledge, and analyzing information. Multiple choice questions can test a learner's ability to recognize correct information and apply theoretical understanding to various scenarios, making it a robust assessment tool for cognitive skills.

In the cognitive domain, the focus is on intellectual skills such as remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, and evaluating principles. Because multiple choice exams require test-takers to think critically and make specific choices based on their knowledge, they are well-suited to measure these cognitive processes comprehensively.

Psychomotor assessments, on the other hand, focus on the physical skills and manual dexterity required in a given field, which cannot be effectively evaluated through multiple choice questions. The affective domain relates to attitudes and values, which are more subjective and better assessed through open-ended questions or discussions rather than predetermined responses. Lastly, synthesis refers to the ability to combine different pieces of information to form a new whole, while multiple choice items sometimes assess this indirectly, they are not the primary method used to evaluate synthesizing capabilities.

Thus, multiple choice exams align best with assessing knowledge and understanding within the cognitive domain.