Planning for a Test
When developing a test, instructors should begin with their learning objectives for the unit being assessed. Well-written, measurable learning objectives will greatly ease the process of test planning. Use your objectives to develop a test blueprint which maps out the content areas that the test will measure. The test blueprints should contain a list of topics that were covered during the period of time that the test will cover. Topics should be relevant to the material covered in the course and representative of the importance of the topic, with more important topics receiving greater coverage or weight. In addition, test items should reflect the appropriate level of knowledge suggested by the learning objectives. Following the test blueprints will make item writing easier for the instructor and make the test more valid for the students.
Test Blueprints:
Test Items:
- Kansas State IDEA Center Resources IDEA Papers No. 16 and No. 17, used with permission.
Resources:
- Haladyna, T.M. 2004. Developing and Validating Multiple-Choice Test Items Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Earlbaum.
- Student Learning Assessment: Options and Resources (2003). Middle States Commission on Higher Education.