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 literatureSocial 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.

http://www.wccards.k12.mo.us/themapzone/howtowriteacr.html

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: – http://teacherweb.com/MO/Hannibal-L

aGrangeCollege/ConnieMelloway/

– http://www.successlink.org/gti/search/start_search.asp • http://www.successlink.org/gti/

gti_lesson.asp?lid=2295

Bibliography

• http://www.map.smsu.edu/PowerPoint/258,2,What Is MAP?

• http://www.pppctr.org/mapfaqs.asp

• http://www.dese.state.mo.us/divimprove/assess/faq.html

• http://www.map.smsu.edu/FAQ.htm

• http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=8&n=14

• http://www.wccards.k12.mo.us/themapzone/howtowriteacr.html