Exit Tickets
At a Glance
- Time: 2-3 minutes
- Prep: Minimal (prepare prompt)
- Group: Individual
- Setting: Any
- Subjects: Universal
- Energy: Low
Purpose
Collect immediate, actionable feedback on lesson effectiveness through brief end-of-class written responses, revealing what students understood, what confused them, and what questions remain.
How It Works
- Present prompt (30 sec) - Display exit ticket question 5 minutes before class ends
- Students respond (2 min) - Write brief response on index card or digital form
- Collect at door (30 sec) - Gather responses as students exit; review before next class
What to Say
Opening: "Before you leave: On your index card, answer this: 'What was the muddiest point (most confusing part) of today's lesson?' Drop it in the basket on your way out."
During: "Be specific... What exactly was confusing?... Honest answers help me teach better tomorrow."
Closing: "Thank you! I'll read these tonight and address the most common confusions at the start of tomorrow's class."
Why It Works
Exit tickets provide immediate, written feedback that reveals gaps in understanding while the lesson is still fresh. This allows teachers to adjust instruction before misconceptions solidify, making responsive teaching possible.
Research Connection: Formative assessment increases learning gains by 0.40-0.70 standard deviations (Black & Wiliam, 1998; Hattie, 2009).
Teacher Tip
Vary your prompts. Cycle through: Muddiest Point (confusion), 3-2-1 (3 things learned, 2 questions, 1 connection), Summary Sentence, Analogy ("Today's topic is like ___ because ___"), or Application ("How could you use this?").
Variations
Prompts: Muddiest point, 3-2-1, key takeaway, lingering question, real-world connection • Format: Index cards (anonymous), Google Form (named), post-its on wall chart • Ages: K-5: sentence completion prompts; 6-12: standard open prompts; College: synthesis/application prompts
Online
Use Google Forms, Poll Everywhere, or Padlet. Students submit before leaving virtual class. Review aggregate responses to plan next session.
Troubleshooting
Vague responses: "Be specific. Instead of 'everything,' tell me exactly what step confused you"
Extension
Share aggregate results next class: "Many asked about X—let's clarify that today." This shows you value their feedback.
Related: Muddiest Point, One-Sentence Summary