1. ASSESSMENT IN EDUCATION ASSESSMENT IN EDUCATION

2. Copyright Keith Morrison, 2004 ITEM TYPES IN A TEST Missing words and incomplete sentences Multiple choice statements True-false items Matching items Essay questions

3. Copyright Keith Morrison, 2004 ESSAYS AND THEIR MARKING (1) Instructions must be given on length. The essay question must cover only those learning outcomes that cannot be measured more objectively. The essay question must ensure that it is clearly linked to desired learning outcomes; that it is clear what behaviours the students must demonstrate. The essay question must indicate the field and tasks very clearly (e.g. ‘compare’, ‘justify’, ‘critique’, ‘summarise’, ‘classify’, ‘analyse’, ’clarify’, ‘examine’, ‘apply’, ‘evaluate’, ‘synthesise’, ‘contrast’, ‘explain’, ‘illustrate’).

4. Copyright Keith Morrison, 2004 ESSAYS AND THEIR MARKING (2) Set time limits for the essay. Avoid options, or, if options are to be given, ensure that, if students have a list of titles from which to choose, each title is equally difficult and equally capable of enabling the student to demonstrate achievement, understanding etc. Marking criteria must be explicit, indicating what must be included in the answers, what cognitive processes are being looked for in the essay (e.g. higher order and lower order thinking) together with their specification in the essay requirement (e.g. ‘compare’, ‘speculate’, ‘contrast’, ‘evaluate’, ‘give reasons for’) and the points to be awarded for such inclusions for the extent to which certain criteria have been met.

5. Copyright Keith Morrison, 2004 ESSAYS AND THEIR MARKING (3) Agree how to address and score irrelevancies, inaccuracies, poor grammar and spelling. The scoring criteria are to be agreed, e.g. for content, logic, organisation, structure, presentation, secretarial skills, reasonableness, coverage, completeness, internal consistency, originality, creativity, level of detail, persuasiveness of the argument, conclusiveness, clarity, demonstration of understanding and application. The marks to be awarded for each element are agreed, including the weighting of the marks. Decide whether to mark the work blind.