Writing Items

Multiple Choice

Which of the following descriptions correspond to the meaning of ITEM?

• A class task

• Test question

• A reading passage

• The options provided after a question

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of prompts?

• A text

• An image

• An audio

• The correct answer

Multiple Select

Which of the following are desired features of a stem:

• Long

• Short

• Contain extra information to distract the reader

• Concise

Multiple Choice

Items don't always need to have the same font style and size and follow the same grammar structure.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Multiple choice questions have to follow punctuation rules. (For instance end in a question mark, period, or exclamation mark).

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Avoid the use of very simple or very complex distractors, focus on the learning indicator.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What's wrong with this stem: An ________ is useful when writing a note.

• It is too long.

• There is nothing wrong with it

• You are giving out clues

• It has a grammar mistake

Open Ended

What's wrong with this stem?

Multiple Select

What's wrong with this item? Where does Sophia live?

a ( ) She lives in Heredia

b ( ) She lives in Parrita

c ( ) She lives at her grandma's

• They need punctuation

• One does not respond the question

• The repetition in the answer

Multiple Choice

Which of the following options contain an implausible answer?

What is the weather like in Costa Rica today?

• It's hot and sunny

• It's a nice day

• It's snowy

• It will be stormy

Multiple Choice

How many distractors and how many keys should a multiple choice item have?

• 2 and 1

• 3 and 1

• 2 and 2

• as many as you want

​Use the following criteria to evaluate your writing items:

1. Item content corresponds to the learning indicator?

2. The key is correct?

3. Distractors are feasible but definitely incorrect?

4. There are no hints for the examinee?

5. Grammar and punctuation flow appropriately?

6. Stem does not have superfluous information?

7. Item does not assess trivial facts?

8. Item does not include idioms or jargon?

9. Options are of similar length and format?

10. There is no repetition of text to begin each option?

11. The content in the options is relevant to the item?