To control for exam equivalence and difficulty, the study utilized two primary measurement methods:

• Weighted Bloom's Index: Summarizes the average Bloom's level of exam questions weighted by points possible. Levels 1–2 test lower-order cognitive skills, while levels 3–6 assess higher-order skills. Three experienced TAs rated the exams blindly.
• Predicted Exam Score (PES): Establishes grading equivalence. Three experienced TAs (different from the Bloom's raters) predicted the average score for each part of every exam question, while remaining blind to the study's intent.