IF-AT aka Scratch Cards

Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique

A special kind of scoring sheet, known as an IF-AT form (Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique), is typically used for the team Readiness Assurance tests. IF-ATs are ”scratch-and-win”-style scoring sheets. They dramatically increase the quality of discussion in the tRAT process and, more importantly, provide rich, immediate corrective feedback. Students absolutely love using these test cards. You can expect high-fives and cheering as students complete the tRAT. We have even had some students thank us for the test! If you have not tried these, you must!

These “scratch-and-win”-style answer sheets were invented by Mike Epstein at Ryder University. On an IF-AT form, each question has a row of boxes that can be scratched like a lottery ticket. A small star, exposed by scratching one of the boxes, indicates the correct answer. Students must scratch off the opaque coating one box at a time in hopes of finding the right answer. The power of these cards is in the conversation that students are forced into as they try to generate shared understanding and consensus before choosing which box to scratch. The other powerful feature of these cards is the immediate, corrective feedback.

Decremental scoring is used to induce teams to continue to discuss the questions after an incorrect scratch. One possible point-allocation system for an IF-AT card could be four points for the right answer on the first scratch, two points for the right answer on the second scratch, one point for the right answer on the third scratch, and zero if they needed to scratch off all four boxes to reveal the correct answer. This encourages teams to engage with a question and continue the conversation until they know the correct answer.

Teachers new to TBL often ask how to print IF-ATs to match their tests. In fact, each set of numbered cards already has the stars in a particular pattern and it is the teacher who arranges the answer choices of the test to match the selected card.  Cards are available in many different answer patterns to give the teacher flexibility in arranging answer choices and to prevent the students memorizing or predicting the answers.  Each card has an identifying key number on a perforated tab at the bottom that can be removed by the teacher. The IF-AT cards are available  at www.epsteineducation.com https://www.cognalearn.com/IFAT

See IF-ATs in Action