Transcript Test Writing with Examples
Those who can do.
Those who understand teach.
Those who teach assess.
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Choosing Test Items There are no perfect items.
Regional Collaboratives February 12, 2007 presented by Virginia Malone [email protected]
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Today’s Questions
Why test?
What is being tested?
What makes some test items better than others?
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Why Test?
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It is kind of nice to know why you do what you do.
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Major Reasons for Testing
Diagnostic Comparative To standards (criteria base) To others (norm reference) 7
What is being tested?
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What do we want to learn from the test?
Who knows the science and who does not.
NOT who is a good reader and who is not NOT who a good test taker and who is not 9
Need Test Blueprint
Assure that what should be taught is tested.
Assure a balanced coverage of Performance Objectives.
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Test Blueprint
Define what tests will cover.
Guide for reporting.
Keep test forms parallel.
Pre/post tests 11
What will be reported?
Strands Concepts Performance Objectives Vocabulary 5 items for percent correct score 10 items for scaled scores 12
One Type of Blueprint
TEKS Number 1.2
2.7
etc.
Knowledge Items 1 3 Application Items 5 8 13
What makes some test items better than others?
There is no such thing as a perfect item.
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Thought Provoking Test Items
Require the use of both knowledge and skills.
May cover more than one TEKS.
Go beyond reading and recalling.
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The ixleb was heb. That narf, the illby ixleb summit and was all domini. Where was its zomba? The ixleb zanked and then izzly zonched for its zomba from the hightow. It zonched because an uga of dow filled that narf er - dow of the dumbing tonto's bleer.
1. What was the ixleb?
2. When did the illby ixleb summit? 3. Who was the illby?
4. Where did the ixleb zank and zonch from? 5. Why did the ixleb izzly zonch? 16
Appropriate Reading Level
Reading levels as low as possible.
Sentence structure simple.
Words other than science should be as simple as possible.
Short sentences rather than long.
Avoid “there…” 17
More than Rote Memory poor Which of these is present in eukaryotic cells, but not prokarotic cells?
A. a cytoplasmic membrane B. a chromosome C. a nucleous * D. a cell wall 18
Application to new situation
better A cell is isolated that contains a cytoplasmic fluid phospholipid membrane, a cell wall, and a single circular chromosome. This cell most likely belongs to which type of organism?
A. a plant B. a prokaryote * C. a protozoan D. a fungus 19
Recall
Objective:
Identify the six most common elements in living things.
poor
Which of these is the most common element in living things?
A.Iron
B.Sulfur
C.Calcium
D.Carbon * 20
better but lots of reading
Some students saw some white salt (NaCl) crystals at the edge of a drop of water. As the water evaporated the salt crystals became bigger and more of them appeared in the dish. All of the following would seem to indicate that the crystals are alive EXCEPT the fact that the crystals --
A.
grow in size.
B.
lack hydrogen. * C.
appear to reproduce.
D.
contain chlorine.
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Graphics can simplify and engage.
The diagram shows salt crystals that appeared in a dish after salt water evaporated. Which of these shows that the salt is not alive?
A.
The size of the crystals increased.
B.
They lack hydrogen. * C. They appear to reproduce. D. They contain chlorine.
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Use graphics to simplify not to decorate.
Poor The picture shows a mouse. Mice have fur and feed their young milk. Mice belong with what group?
A Mammals C Fish B Insects D Birds 23
Use graphics to simplify not to decorate.
Better Mice have fur and feed their young milk. Mice belong with what group?
A Mammals B Insects C Fish D Birds Grade level and ELL considerations 24
Alignment to Objectives
Objective: Understand the transfer of heat.
poor
Which temperature is equivalent of 273 K?
A. 0 o C C. 100 o C B. 32 o F D. - 273 o C 25
Objective: Understand the transfer of heat.
better Which diagram correctly shows the direction of net heat transfer?
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poor
Avoid tricky questions or two justifiable correct choices
Which of these shows the greatest evidence of erosion?
A.
A mountain range B.
A canyon C.
A delta D.
A meteor crater 27
better
Which of these landforms is the result of erosion caused by primarily by water?
A A volcano B A canyon C A meteor crater D A sand dune
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Avoid the Use of “You”
poor Which of these would you do if a student asked you to help them on a test?
A. Reprimand the student.
B. Try to help the student without giving away the answer.
C. Ask the student to stay after school for more help D. Remind the student that you are not allowed to help on the test.
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Better
According to the directions for administering the test, which of these should a teacher do if a student asks for help on the test?
A. Reprimand the student.
B. Try to help the student without giving away the answer.
C. Ask the student to stay after school for more help D. Remind the student that you are not allowed to help on the test. * 30
Items should provide focus.
Poor
The earth is –
A. spherical more or less B. made up of elements C. part of the solar system D. the third rock from the sun 31
Providing Focus Makes It Clear What a Student Is Being Asked to Do.
better
Which of these best describes the shape of the earth?
A. An oblate spheroid B. A circle C. A torus D. A lumpy sphere 32
Items should avoid the use of negatives.
poor
Which of these is not a characteristic of animals?
A. They eat other organisms.
B. They have no chlorophyll.
C. They do not make their own food.
D. They have cell walls.* 33
better
Which of these is a characteristic that all animals have?
A. Four legs B. Food getting behavior* C. Chlorophyll D. Blood 34
Items should not clue other items Vitamin B, found in rice hulls, helps prevent--
A. beriberi* B. scurvy C. measles D. botulism
As westerners introduced better milling techniques to remove rice hulls, natives of south sea islands began to develop beriberi due to a lack of --
A. calcium B. a vitamin * C. citric acid D. protein 35
Items should not require knowledge of the correct answer to a previous question.
1. At what point on this diagram is winter in North America represented?
2. During what season in North America is the sun closest to Earth?
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Options should be in logical order.
Which seeds are probably the slowest to germinate?
A. Mango* B. Tomato C. Peach D. Watermelon
Which seeds are probably the slowest to germinate?
A. Watermelon B. Tomato C. Mango* D. Peach 37
Rationales for distractors.
What is the greatest percent of weed control in this investigation?
A. 55 the lowest value shown B. 85 the greatest value for single treatment C. 90 The greatest value D. 200 Just a number no justifiable rationale 38
The question must have one clearly correct answer.
Tundras and taigas are found at high latitudes, but similar biomes can also be found –
A. at high altitudes* B. at high longitude C. along coastlines D. in the interior of continents 39
The options should be free of repetitious information.
poor
When is the earth farthest from the sun?
A. During the spring in the Northern Hemisphere B. During the summer in the Northern Hemisphere C. During the fall in the Northern Hemisphere D. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere 40
better
During what season in North America is Earth farthest from the sun?
A. Spring B. Summer* C. Winter D. Fall 41
When possible, items should be complete questions.
poor
The test item type that is most efficient and reliable is the –
A. Multiple Choice B. Constructed Response C. Matching D. True/false 42
Complete Questions
better
Which of these is the most efficient and reliable type of test item on a 30 item test?
A. Multiple Choice B. Constructed Response C. Matching D. True/false 43
Distractors should be plausible.
poor
Which of these is a planet in our solar system?
A. Water B. Mars C. An asteroid D. Dirt No real rationale for answers 44
Plausible distractors
better Which of these is a planet in our solar system?
A. The sun B. The moon C. The planet Mars D. The comet Halley 45
Options parallel in structure and degree of specificity.
poor
Which of the following is a compound?
A. Kinetic energy B. Wind that is blowing C. Pure distilled water* D. A soft drink like Pepsi 46
Parallel Options
better
Which of the following is a compound?
A. Sulfur B. Iron C. Water* D. Hydrogen 47
The options should be free of repetitious information.
poor
When is the earth farthest from the sun?
A. During the spring in the Northern Hemisphere B. During the summer in the Northern Hemisphere* C. During the fall in the Northern Hemisphere D. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere 48
better
During what season in North America is the earth farthest from the sun?
A. Spring B. Summer* C. Winter D. Fall 49
Items should not contain options that are subsumed by other options.
poor
A patient had a high fever, a greater blood pressure on the right side of his body than his left. He was loosing about one pound a day. Which of these caused this person to become ill?
A. HIV B. vasculitis* C. circulatory illness D. an infection 50
Items should not contain options that are subsumed by other options.
better
A patient had a high fever, a greater blood pressure on the right side of his body than his left. He was loosing about one pound a day. Which of these caused this person to become ill?
A. elephantiasis B. vasculitis* C. gastritis D. pneumonia * 51
Options should not be opposites of one another.
poor
What time will it be on the side of the earth facing the sun?
A. Daytime B. Nighttime C. 2:00 A.M.
D. 11:07 P.M.
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better
What causes there to be nighttime on Earth?
A. One side of Earth is facing away from the Sun.
B. The Earth revolves around to the back side of the Sun.
C. The sun moves to the daylight side of Earth.
D. The sun stops sending light toward Earth.
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Wording and/or art must be clear.
Which of these models shows the orbit of the Earth?
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Factual information should be accurate and logical.
Onion root do not generally grow to a length of 300 centimeters and even if they did they would not grow as fast as indicated by the graph. 55
Does the writer have a misconception?
Five-fingers occur more commonly in any human population than six fingers. The five-finger trait is probably --
A. dominant* B. recessive C. hybrid D. incomplete 56
NOTE
Every item can be improved.
“Better” in this presentation does not equate to good.
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Loricifera
Use a Checklist to Explain How You Arrive at Your Answers
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Loriciferans
Answering questions without knowing much about the subject 59
1. Which of the following is a characteristic unique to the phylum Loricifera?
A. Multicellularity B. Small body structure C. A flexible feeding tube that can be retracted into the organism D. Multiple spines 60
2. All Loriciferans are –
A.
Single cellular B.
C.
D.
Multicellular Colorful Hungry 61
3. What is the level of classification for Loriciferans?
A.
B.
Kingdom Phylum C.
D.
Genus Species 62
4. All of these are places Loriciferans can be found EXCEPT –
A. sediments B. artic ocean sands C. ocean coastal deposits D. in the needles of pine trees 63
5. Who named the phylum Loricifera?
A. Reinhardt Kristensen, a Smithsonian Postdoctoral Fellow B. Carl Linnaeus, a Postdoctoral Fellow C. Feras Feras, a Lorci Postdoctoral Fellow D. A Postdoctoral Fellow 64
6. Loriciferans are most closely associated with an --
a. glacier c. ocean b. river D. storm 65
7. What is the source of energy for Loriciferans?
A. Snow B. Meiofauna C. Phyla D. Cars 66
8. Which of these do you think is the most important phylum?
A.
B.
Phylum Arthropoda Phylum Loricifera C.
D.
Phylum Chordata Phylum Platyhelminthes 67
9. Loricifera larvae 1 and 2 are moving toward the grain of sand. If they start at the same time and arrive at the next grain of sand at the same moment, which one moved the fastest?
A. 2 moved faster than 1 B. 1 moved faster than 2 C. 1 and 2 moved at the same speed D. 1 moved slower than 2 68
10. Which of these is not a characteristic of the producers Loriciferas eat?
A. They are able to make their own food.
B. They lack photosynthetic pigments.
C. They do not require carbon dioxide at night.
D. They give off oxygen when it is not dark. 69
10. What type of fauna is most appealing to Loriciferans?
A. deer B. meiofauna C. fish D. flowers 70
11. Loriciferans are approximately 0.3 mm long. If 8 loriciferans were placed side by side they would extend approximately how many millimeters?
A. 0.1 mm B. 2.4 mm C. 5.5 mm D. 1.6 mm 71
12. Which of the following pieces of equipment would be required to calculate the density of the water surrounding the sand in which the Loriciferans live?
A. Balance and graduated cylinder B. Graduated cylinder and burner C. Thermometer and balance D. Balance and volumetric flask 72
13. Which of these is the main function of the ovaries of adult Loriciferans?
A. Male B. Eggs C. Food D. Larva 73
14. What is the function of the protonephridium?
A. To produce digestive enzymes B. To eliminate metabolic waste C. To pump blood D. To act as a primitive eye 74
15. What type of compounds have a multitude of different functions in Loriciferans including providing structural support within cells and catalyzing chemical reactions and facilitating diffusion through the plasma membrane and allowing cell recognition through its unique structure?
A. mitochondria B. proteins C. ribosomes D. cells 75
16. In the Loriciferans ecosystem energy flows from producers to primary consumers to Loriciferans. More energy flows from producers to primary consumers in the Loriciferans ecosystem than in a forest ecosystem where there is thick vegetation. Why is this?
A
Forest plants receive more sunlight than aquatic photosynthetic organisms.
B
Plants in forests put more energy into wood and other hard-to-digest biomass.
C
Animals in oceans perform less cellular respiration than animals in forests.
D
Producers are less able to harvest the light energy in forests than in oceans. 76
Well Constructed Test Items
Match the objective.
Do not give away the answer.
Do not favor the test wise student.
Do not favor the good reader over the good social studies, math, or science student. 77
Well Constructed Test Items
Avoid the use of negative words in the stem and/or options.
Have responses in logical order.
Have one clearly correct answer.
Are factually correct.
Make it clear what the student is being asked to do.
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Well Constructed Options
Parallel in degree of specificity.
Parallel in length Parallel in grammatical structure.
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Well Constructed Options
Free of excess repetition Do not subsume other options Not opposite of one another Have rationales for the distractors 80
Why test?
Did you Learn?
What is being tested?
What makes some test items better than others?
There are no perfect items.
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The fatal pedagogical error… to throw answers like stones at the heads of those who have not yet asked the questions.
Paul Tillich
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A Test A Day Keeps Students Away
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Teachers should not have to put aside good instruction to prepare for the test.
Unknown
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Every test question can be improved.
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Every student can learn.
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Every teacher can improve.
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Every school can become a center of excellence.
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No one said it will be easy.
There are no short cuts.
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The Road to Success Is Always Under Construction.
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For more information http://webusers.xula.edu/jsevenai/objective/objective.html
Easy to follow examples of test items
http://www.tenet.edu/teks/science/stacks/instruct/strategy.html
Strengths and weaknesses of various strategies. Provides examples of poor and better selected response items http://questioning.org/Q6/question.html
For more questions 91