General Guidelines

Let's begin with some general guidelines for test creation. In How to Assess Authentic Learning, Kaye Burke provides the following:

1. Make certain the test is correlated to course objectives or learning outcomes.
2. Give clear directions for each section of the test.
3. Arrange the questions from simple to complex.
4. State point values for each section (i.e., true/false – 2 points each).
5. Vary the question types (true/false, multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay, matching)
6. Group question types together.
7. Type or print questions clearly leaving ample room for answers.
8. Make certain appropriate reading level is used.
9. Include a variety of visual, oral, and kinesthetic tasks.
10. Make allowances for students with special needs.
11. Give students some choice in the questions they select (such as choice of visual organizers or essay questions).
12. Vary levels of questions.
13. Give sufficient time for all students to finish. (To gauge length of time needed, double or triple the time it takes the teacher to complete the test)

A checklist is provided here for you to use in preparing your own tests using these guidelines.

Dr. Sudweeks includes the following two recommendations:

1. State the item as clearly as possible.

Be precise. Avoid vague or ambiguous words.

Avoid complex or awkward word arrangements (trick questions or mental gymnastics)

Exclude nonfunctional words or phrases.

2. Avoid including any extraneous clues to the correct response

Note that all of the guidelines provided in this tutorial should be adapted to the age level of the students you are working with. Use your judgment.