Multiple Choice
Spot the error: Europe is an example of a
a. island
b. continent
c. archipelago
d. harbour
Remove "a" from the stem or use "a/an".
True or False?
Terms such as ‘all, always, never and none’ should be avoided Binary Choice test items.
True
The column with the longer statements should be on the left or the right?
The Left
Is this a good or bad completion item. Explain.
The distance from Kingston to Montego Bay is ________.
The unit of measurement should be specified/Too many possible responses (eg adjectives).
This item writing commandment cautions against giving accidental hints when formulating questions.
What is Unintended Clues?
Based on Bloom's Taxonomy, would the following learning objective test application skills in a MC test item? Explain.
The student will be able to identify the parts of the skeletal structure on a diagram of the skeleton.
No. This is at the "Remember" level. Perhaps a case study on broken bones could test application.
Spot 2 Errors in this item:
It is never fair for Jamaica to send troops to Haiti. (T/F)
1. The use of absolute term "never"
2. The use of an opinion without attributing it to a source.
Spot 2 errors in these instructions:
This is a matching exercise based on unit one. Match the items in column A with the items in column B.
1. The basis for matching is missing.
2. There is no indication that responses/options can be used more than once.
Reggae music was started in _____________.
Lacks specificity/multiple responses possible.
Students who sat the Social Studies examination have complained that the matching section is confusing and dis-organized.
What is lack of Homogeneity?
Spot 2 errors:
Which of the following is not absent in the Jamaican constitution?
a. Articles
b. Preamble
c. Bill of Rights
d. All of the above
1. Double negatives (change "not absent" to "present")
2. Highlight "not"
3. Stay away from "All of the above"
True or False?
Placing items in a systematic order (such as TFFTFF or FFFTFFFT) is an effective way of preventing guessing.
False. The more random, the more guessing is prevented.
Explain homogeneity in Matching Test Items.
Homogeneity of items ensure that they share common characteristics, properties, or themes, which makes it clear and fair for students to make connections.
After a brief and violent ____________ that ousted the president, General Monsanto declared himself the dictator of the country.
Nuance
Coup
Solicitation
Upbraiding
lament
What is Completion?
What may be the problem here when students seek to respond to this question?
Jamaica’s youngest Prime Minister Manley
Believed in freedom and independence Andrew
Born in 1780 Garvey
Died of Cancer Sam
Best Socialist leaders Marley
What is Ambiguous Lists?
Critique the following test item:
Which of the proceeding developments can be attributed to Jamaica's machinations toward self-governance and independence?
a. The introduction of traditional Jamaican cuisine to international markets.
b. The decline in the influence of reggae music on Jamaican culture.
c. The emergence of political parties and ideologies on nationalism and decolonization throughout Caribbean regions in the 1960s.
d. A decrease in Rastafari
While there is an attempt at high order cognition, the use of complex vocabulary in the stem is problematic. The options are not all the same length. Length hints at correct answer.
True or False?
True/False testing is an example of multiple choice testing given the options examinees have to choose from.
False. It is a binary-choice items.
Spot 3 Errors:
Heart Respiratory System
Feet Where the brain is located
Lungs Every human is born with two
Head Circulatory System
1. Lists should be titled
2. Lists should be arranged in logical order
3. Concepts are too wide (non-homogenous)
4. Directions on how to match are not given
5. There should be more responses/options than premises/descriptions
___________ became Prime Minister when ___________ wanted freedom.
Begins with a blank, has two blanks, multiple responses possible