An exit ticket is a quick written or verbal response to a question before students leave. "Before you go, answer this: What did you learn today?" "What's still confusing?" Takes 2-5 minutes. You collect insights.
What is an Exit Ticket?
Why They Work
Exit tickets give you real-time feedback on understanding. You know immediately if you need to reteach. No waiting for tests. No stacks of marking. Just quick, actionable data.
Low-Tech Exit Tickets
Thumbs: Thumbs up (got it), thumbs sideways (kind of), thumbs down (confused). Visual, instant, you see who needs help.
Hand raise: "Raise your hand if you can explain fractions to a friend." Quick assessment.
Paper slip: Students write one sentence: "Today I learned..." or "I still don't understand..." Collect on the way out.
Digital Exit Tickets
Google Forms, Mentimeter, or Padlet. Students submit digitally. Instant data. No handwriting to decipher. Results appear in real time.
Questions That Work
- "What was the main idea today?"
- "What's one thing you learned?"
- "What's still confusing?"
- "Teach someone at home what you learned."
- "Rate your understanding 1-5."
- "Draw what you learned."
- "Ask a question about today's lesson."
Using the Data
If most students are confused about fractions, spend more time. If most understand, move on. If half understand, reteach to the confused group while others extend. Responsive teaching.
Keep It Brief
Don't ask elaborate questions. One question. 2-3 minutes. In and out. If exit tickets take 15 minutes, you won't do them regularly.
