Why pupils chose wrong answers: misconceptions

What does this do?

When pupils pick a wrong option in a multiple-choice question, in a lesson, a homework or an assessment, Classfolio suggests the misunderstanding that leads to it. For example, choosing 2/7 for 1/3 + 1/4 shows a pupil adding the numerators and the denominators. Common misconceptions in maths, reading, and grammar and punctuation are recognised from a fixed list, so the same misunderstanding is grouped across different questions and pieces of work. In other subjects the AI writes a short description, such as "thinks plants take in their food through their roots". You see the reason beside each wrong answer, and a list for the whole class showing which misconceptions are most common and who showed them.

When should I use it?

Use it after pupils have answered multiple-choice questions, before you plan a reteach or a starter: it tells you not just that a class got a question wrong, but why, and whether the same misunderstanding turns up across topics. It works on the questions you have already set, in every subject, with nothing to set up.

How do I use it?

1. 1Open Revision Intel and choose the Revise next tab
2. 2Choose the class, and how far back to look: 6 weeks, 12 weeks or 6 months
3. 3In each learning gap, under Common wrong answer, read the likely reason beside each wrong option pupils picked
4. 4Further down, Why pupils chose wrong answers lists the class's misconceptions, the most pupils first, with how many questions each appeared in and an example question and answer
5. 5Choose Set revision to these pupils to send revision to just the pupils who showed that misconception
6. 6Reteach the idea, or add a question that tests it to your next quiz or homework, then come back to see whether fewer pupils show it

Common mistakes

• Expecting it for written answers: it reads the wrong options pupils chose, so it needs multiple-choice questions
• Looking for one pupil's slip in the class list: a misconception appears there once it has at least two wrong picks
• Treating a reason as certain: it is a suggestion from the option the pupil chose, so check it against what you know of the pupil and their work
• Changing an option's wording after pupils have answered: the new wording is a new option and is looked at again

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