3. Multiple Choice

John O'Farrell explores the unexpected history of the different kinds of exam, and our relationship with them.

John finds out how multiple choice was first used to test US soldiers during the First World War. And why America has relied surprisingly heavily ever since on a test that values objective judgements of the masses over quirky individuality. Plus, examiners on the art of writing the wrong questions, and pupils on trying to avoid the pitfalls of this most slippery of tests.

Producer: Phil Tinline

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2007.