2. TEST
A test is a mean of measuring the knowledge, skills,
feelings, intelligence or aptitude of an individual or
group.
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3. Test is divided into two categories
Objective items
It is highly structured and requires the pupils to
supply a word or two or to select the correct
answer from a number of alternatives.
Essay questions
It permits the pupils to select, organize and
present the answer in essay form.
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4. The objective test items classified
into:
Supply types
require the pupil to supply the answer.
Selection types
require the pupil to select the answer from the
number of alternatives.
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5. Essay questions classified into:
Extended response type
In which people are given complete
freedom in making their responses.
Restricted response type
In which the nature, length or organization of
the response is limited.
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6. Comparative advantages of objectives
and essay tests:
Objective test
Essay Test
Learning outcomes
measured
Efficient for measuring
knowledge of facts
Inefficient for measuring
knowledge of facts
Preparation of
questions
Large number of
questions is needed
A few questions are
needed
Sampling of course
content
Provides an extensive
Sampling of course
sampling of course
content is usually limited
content
Complete structuring of
Freedom to respond
task limits pupil to type of
response called for.
Control of pupil’s
response
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7. Objective Test
Scoring
Influence on learning
Reliability
Objective scoring is
quick, easy and
consistent
Encourages pupil to
develop a
comprehensive
knowledge of specific
facts
High reliability is
possible
Eassy Test
Subjective scoring is
slow, difficult and
inconsistent
Encourages pupils to
concentrate on larger
units of subject matter
with special emphasis
Reliability is typically
low
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8. Selecting the most appropriate item
types
Supply the answer
Selection type
•
Multiple-choice item
•
True-false item
•
Matching items
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9. Consideration in preparing
relevant test items
STEP 1:
The purpose of the step should be determined.
STEP 2:
A set of specifications should be developed.
STEP 3:
The most appropriate item types should be selected.
STEP 4:
The test item should be constructed in accordance
with the specification developed during the preceding
steps.
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10. Selecting Proper Item Difficulty
Item Difficulty
Item difficulty is expressed as the percentage
of pupils answering the item correctly.
Criterion-Referenced
The difficulty of the items to be included in a
classroom test depends largely on whether
the test is being designed to describe the
specific learning tasks pupils can perform.
Norm-Referenced
To rank the pupils in order of their
achievements.
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11. Some Possible Barriers in Test Items:
>Ambiguous statements
>Excessive wordiness
>Difficult vocabulary
>Complex sentence structure
>Unclear instructions
>Unclear illustrative material
>Race, ethnic and sex bias
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12. Some Common Clues in Test
Item:
Grammatical inconsistencies
Verbal associations
Specific determiners
Length of correct responses
Location of correct responses
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13. General Suggestions for Writing Test
Items:
1.Use your test specifications as aguide to item writing.
2. Write more test items than needed.
3. Write the test items well in advance of the testing
date.
4. Write each test item so that it calls forth the
performance described in the intended learning
outcome.
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14. 5. Write each test item so that the task to be performed
is clearly defined.
6. Write each test item at an appropriate reading level.
7. Write each item so that it does not provode help in
answering other items in the test.
8. Write each test item so that the answer is one that
would be agreed upon by experts
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15. 9. Write each item so that it is at the proper level of
difficulty
10. Whenever a test item is revised, recheck its relevance
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16. Focusing on improving learning and
instruction
1.
Tests can have a desirable influence on pupil learning if
attention is paid to the breadth of content and learning
outcomes measured by the tests.
1.
Constructing tests that measure a variety of learning
outcomes should also lead to improved teaching
procedures and thus indirectly to improved pupil learning.
1.
Finally a test will contribute to improved teacher-pupil
relations if pupils view the test as a fair and useful measure
of their achievement.
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