Sample Table of Specifications (TOS) for

Exams
A Table of Specifications (TOS) for exams is needed, so that there’s distribution of the
questions based on their percentages in your syllabus or lesson plan.

You will be assigning these percentages (weights) according to the importance of the
topic as reflected in the units assigned to each topic.

A sample TOS is presented below:

Let’s say your exam topic is Physiology, and have these assigned percentages:

Integumentary system = 20%

Circulatory system = 30%
Respiratory system = 25%
Excretory system = 25%

For a total of 100%

NOTE:

If you decide to have a 150-item exam, you can solve the number of items for each
topic by multiplying the 150 with the percentage converted to a digit number.

Examples are below:

For Integumentary = 150 X 0.20 (20%) = 30 items

For Circulatory = 150 X 0.30 (30%) = 45 items

For Respiratory = 150 X 0.25 (25%) = 37.5 items (since this is not a whole number, you
can make this 37 items)

For excretory = 150 X 0.25 (25%) = 37.5 items (since this is not a whole number you
can convert this to 38 items)

Now, you decide what type of questions you’ll be asking based on the skill needed for
your topics and the objective you have set for your subject. You distribute now the
number of items per type of test.

You’ll have to use your power of deduction in this distribution. If you think your students
need to discuss the topic, then use an essay type of question. If the topic needs simple
recall, then use identification.

Here’s a basic example.

Simple Table of Specifications for an Exam in Physiology

Topic Identification Multiple Essay Total Percentage

10 items choice Items 100%
120 20 items 150 items
items
Integumentary 2 25 3 30 20%
Circulatory 3 35 7 45 30%
Respiratory 2 31 4 37 25%
Excretory 3 29 6 38 25%
Items 10 120 20 150 100%