Final Examinations and Their Washback Effects: A Study on Iranian Payame Noor University Distance Learners

This study aimed at investigating the washback effect of university-level final examinations on Iranian distance learners’ study methods and content. Furthermore, the differences between male and female students and between humanities and science students with regard to the washback effect were studied. Using a questionnaire and an interview, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The results showed that the students were influenced by the final exams. The exams were important to them and significantly influenced the content and methods of their studying. Furthermore, there were significant differences between different groups of students regarding the washback effect of the exams. Several implications and directions for further research emerged from this study.