Objective Test Items

A Criteria Table

This document contains criteria for writing effective Objective Test Items

Stephan Freysen 22188160

13/02/2008
 Objective Test Items
Type of
Objective Criteria for successful construction
Test Item

• Avoid words that imply absolutes like ‘always’, ‘never’, ‘all’ or ‘only’.
• Avoid words or phrases that are meant to trick the reader.
• Avoid using double negatives.
• Avoid using opinionated statements, rather opt for facts only.
• Avoid using double-barrelled statements. There should be no ambiguity to the statement.
• Avoid verbal clues and complex sentences.
• Avoid placing items in a systematic order.
• Avoid presenting statements derived from text out of context.
• If an opinion needs to be tested, state the referent that has this opinion.
• If a negative is used in a statement, it should be highlighted, underlined, italicsised or
bolded so that the learner will not overlook it.
True-False • The question should be limited to a specific frame of reference.
Tests • The desired method of marking true or false questions should be explained in a clear way
before learners start the test.
• Compile a statement that is definitely true or definitely false.
• Use relatively short statements.
• Attempt to keep the statements at the same length.
• Ensure that the distributions of true and false answers are more or less equal.

• Avoid grammatical clues such as “an”.

• A problem should be clearly formulated by the stem. An attempt to add as much of the
information into the stem as possible, in order to keep the distracters as short as
possible, should always be made.
• Ensure that there is not more than one possible, defensible answer among the
distractors.
Bibliography:

1.
Kubiszyn, T., and Borich, G. (2007). Educational Testing and Measurement: Classroom Approach and
Practice. (8th ed.) NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.