2.1 Item types

This is the 4th video of 10 from the SPOC on "How to write good items for measuring Student Progress".

The video provides an overview of the main types of test items including classical MCQ, Cloze and Matrix items.  It explains the two main distinctions of test items are open-ended and closed-ended questions. Open-ended questions require the student to write a full response, while closed-ended questions require the student to find the correct response from a list of alternatives. The most common format for closed-ended questions is the classical multiple-choice item, which is typically a question with three to five response categories of which one represents the best answer.

The distinction between objective and subject scoring procedures are also explained. This includes their advantages and disadvantages, with objective scoring being more fair but less flexible, while subjective scoring is more flexible but less fair.

The context in which the test item is used is important, and items for formal examination must have only one unambiguous correct response, whereas items for formative purposes may have multiple correct responses. The presentation aims to teach item writers how to choose the right type of test item for the content and what characterizes a well-written test item and a well-designed test.

The next video "How to write good items" explains in details and with examples how the write good items and which item format to choose. 

 

COBL_litterature_40x40px_2017_18.png  Further reading

  • Haladyna, T. M., Downing, S. M., & Rodriguez, M. C. (2002). A Review of Multiple-Choice Item-Writing Guidelines for Classroom Assessment. Applied Measurement in Education, 15(3), 309–333. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324818AME1503_5