Exit Tickets: A Teacher’s Guide to Checking Student Learning

Exit tickets, also called exit slips, are short checks that teachers give at the end of a lesson or class period. They show how well learners understood the day’s lesson, so the teacher can adjust the next one. This guide explains what exit tickets are, how they work, their benefits and limits, and sample questions you can use in class.

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What are exit tickets?

An exit ticket is a brief assessment given at the end of a lesson. It measures how well learners understood the content covered that day. Exit tickets can take different forms:

• Written responses: learners answer a short prompt on a slip of paper or a notebook page.
• Multiple-choice questions: a few quick items on the lesson’s main points.
• Brief discussions: a short talk between the learner and the teacher.

How exit tickets work

Exit tickets give learners a chance to reflect on and apply what they learned. A typical routine looks like this:

1. At the end of the lesson, give learners a short prompt or question about the content.
2. Give them a few minutes to write or respond before they leave the classroom.
3. Review the responses to see how well the class understood the material.
4. Use what you find to adjust your teaching, and give extra support or clarification where it is needed.

Benefits of using exit tickets

• Real-time feedback for teachers. You see right away what learners understood. You can then adjust your instruction to meet their needs.
• Finding learners who are struggling. Responses show which topics or learners need more support.
• Better retention. When learners reflect on and apply what they learned, their understanding gets stronger. They remember the material longer, which helps when they prepare for tests and exams.
• Self-assessment for learners. Reflecting on their own progress helps learners see where they need help and take ownership of their learning.

Best practices

To get the most out of exit tickets:

• Stay focused. Ask about the most important content from the lesson.
• Vary the format. Different question types keep learners engaged and give you different kinds of feedback.
• Be consistent. Regular use helps learners know what to expect and lets you see their progress over time.
• Review the responses regularly. Use them to guide your teaching and to spot areas where learners need more support.

Sample exit ticket questions

You can write exit ticket questions for many kinds of learning objectives. Here are some you can use or adapt:

• What was the most important thing you learned in today’s lesson?
• What are some of the key concepts you learned today?
• What was one thing you found confusing or difficult in today’s lesson?
• What is one question you still have about today’s topic?
• How does today’s lesson relate to previous lessons we’ve covered?
• Can you explain a concept or idea from today’s lesson in your own words?

Using technology for exit tickets

Digital tools can help you create and give exit tickets. Some examples are Google Forms, Kahoot, and Quizlet.

Digital exit tickets have some advantages:

• They can be more engaging for learners.
• They can give immediate feedback.
• Responses are easy to store and analyze, which helps you track progress over time.

Limitations to keep in mind

Exit tickets are useful, but they have limits:

• They give only part of the picture. An exit ticket usually checks a small part of the lesson, so it may not show everything a learner understood.
• They depend on honest, accurate answers. A learner who is unsure may guess or give an incomplete answer, which can skew the results.
• They take time. Using them consistently can be demanding for teachers with large classes or several exit tickets a day. You also need to review responses promptly so you can adjust your teaching in time.

The bottom line

Exit tickets are a simple tool for checking student learning and helping learners remember the lesson. Ask focused questions, use them consistently, and review the answers promptly. Digital tools can make giving and analyzing them faster. Exit tickets cannot capture everything a learner knows, but they are a valuable addition to any teacher’s toolkit.

Frequently asked questions