Writing Good Test Questions

Types of Test Questions Selected Response –Multiple Choice/True-False Closed Constructed Response –Short Answer (Fill-in-the-blanks/List) Open-ended Constructed Response –Supports multiple solution processes (Essay) Describe, differentiate, compare, etc. Performance Event –Design, create, explain, etc.

Selected Response Questions have one correct answer. Pros –Easy to grade –Takes little class time Cons –Measure knowledge level only –Difficult to construct

Constructed Response-Closed Questions require a short answer. –Specific answer –Fill in the blank, list, etc. Examples: The capital of Missouri is ______________. Name the eight states surrounding Missouri.

Constructed Response-Open These questions require students to supply, rather than choose a response. –Students usually write answers in essay form. –Responses are scored with a rubric/ scoring guide. Example: Why are most urban areas located near water?

WRITING CONSTRUCTED RESPONSES 1. Identify the curriculum objective. 2. Look for stimulus material in the subject area. (what the students will use to demonstrate knowledge) Examples: Math: charts, graphs, problematic situations, etc. Science: examples of systems, cycles, experiments, journal notes, etc. Communication Arts: stories, poems, plays, contrasting pieces of literature Social Studies: primary documents, charts, maps, journal entries, etc.

3. Write a scoring guide for the question. On the state assessment a closed constructed response question will usually have a top score of 1 and an open-ended question will usually have a top score of either 2 or 3 points. 4. Make needed revisions to the question or to the scoring guide. WRITING CONSTRUCTED RESPONSES-3

Creating a Performance Event Identify the purpose of the activity. List Show-Me standards addressed. –Knowledge Standards: CA 4; SS 5 –Performance Standards: Goal 1.20 List GLE codes (Write out GLE for class project) Include grade level and subject areas. Write a detailed list of materials needed. Calculate time needed for the task.

Creating a Performance Task-2 Write detailed instructions for administration. –Assignment explanations –Scoring guide clarifications –Needed web addresses List pre-assessment requirements –You can’t assess knowledge that you haven’t taught.

Write a student prompt. –Write an easy-to-follow scenario. –List expectations. –Consider a bulleted list. Provide a scoring guide. –Be specific. Avoid words like some, many, a few, etc. Creating a Performance Task-3

Sample Performance Tasks View sample performance tasks at: – LaGrangeCollege/ConnieMelloway/ LaGrangeCollege/ConnieMelloway/ – start_search.asphttp:// start_search.asp sson.asp?lid=2295http:// sson.asp?lid=2295

Bibliography hat Is MAP? /faq.htmlhttp:// /faq.html wtowriteacr.htmlhttp:// wtowriteacr.html