Checklist for Writing Multiple-Choice Test Items

1. Does the item reflect specific content and mental task? Y N

2. Are statements from textbook avoided? Y N
3. Is the item stated in simple and clear language? Y N
4. Is the item free from grammatical and spelling errors? Y N
5. Are the directions in the stem clear? Y N
6. Are double negatives avoided? Y N
7. Does the item contain irrelevant information, making it too wordy? Y N
8. Does the item contain no more than five options? Y N
9. Is the intended answer correct or clearly the best alternative? Y N
10. Are the options parallel in structure and equal in length to avoid clues? Y N
11. Are the options written in logical order? Y N
12. Are the correct answers for all items in the test placed randomly? Y N
13. Is the None of the Above option used sparingly? Y N
14. Is the All of the Above option as the right answer avoided? Y N
15. Are the options plausible and homogeneous? Y N

Checklist for Writing Matching Type Test Items

1. Do the directions clearly state the basis for matching the stimuli with Y N
the responses?
2. Is the item free from grammatical or other clues to the correct response? Y N
3. Are the stems longer and the responses shorter? Y N
4. Do the items share the same foundation of information? Y N
5. Are the answer choices short, homogeneous, and arranged logically? Y N
6. Are the options reasonable and realistic? Y N
7. Are the options similar in length and grammatical form? Y N
8. Are there more response options than stems? Y N
 Checklist for True or False Test Items

1. Is the item completely true or completely false? Y N

2. Is the item written in simple, easy-to-follow statements? Y N
3. Are negatives avoided? Y N
4. Are absolutes such as “always” and “never” used sparingly or not at all? Y N
5. Do items express only a single idea? Y N
6. Is the use of unfamiliar vocabulary avoided? Y N
7. Is the item or statement not lifted from the text, lecture, or other materials? Y N

Checklist for Completion or Fill-in-the-blank Test Items

1. Are the only significant words from the statement omitted? Y N

2. Are only few items omitted from the statement so that the intended meaning
is not lost? Y N
3. Are obvious clues to the correct response avoided? Y N
4. Is there only one correct response to the items? Y N
5. Are grammatical clues to the correct response avoided? Y N
6. Is the blank placed at the end of a statement rather than at the beginning? Y N

Checklist for Writing Essay Test Questions

1. Is the item/topic can best assessed by an essay test? Y N

2. Is the essay question aligned with the desired learning outcomes? Y N
3. Does the essay question contain a clear and delimited task? Y N
4. Is the task presented to students realistic and reasonable? Y N
5. Is the time allotment enough for each essay question? Y N
6. Do the students know how many points the essay is worth? Y N