Question 1

A test or rating scale is objective to the extent that it

Accepted Answer

Objective means that the test or rating scale is free of biases of the administrators and scorers. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B is not accurate because measuring only one or a few variables does not necessarily enhance objectiveness. Option C cannot be generalized as objective because predicting an important and realistic criterion does not ensure that the test is bias-free. Option D is a measure of reliability, not objectivity.

Question 2

Identify the type of objective test item that is most appropriate for measuring the following specific learning outcome: "Select the best reason for a specific action from a given list of alternatives."

Accepted Answer

Multiple-choice items are most appropriate for measuring the specific learning outcome of selecting the best reason from a list of alternatives. This type of item allows for the presentation of a range of options and requires the student to choose the most appropriate one.

Question 3

Objective tests are generally more reliable than essay tests because objective tests can

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

The most important use of essay tests is to

Accepted Answer

Essay tests are best used to measure complex learning outcomes such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and synthesis of knowledge. They require students to demonstrate an understanding of the material by providing detailed responses and explanations. Essay tests are less effective at measuring simple learning outcomes and can be time-consuming to grade.

Question 5

When you write multiple-choice items, you should use

Accepted Answer

Stems that present a single problem are clearer and less confusing for test-takers. Using longer and more convoluted distractors (Option A) can make the question unnecessarily difficult and increase the likelihood of guessing. Distractors that require fine discriminations (Option B) can also add unnecessary difficulty to the question and may not accurately assess understanding. Using "none of the above" and "all of the above" (Option C) can be effective in some cases, but should not be overused.

Question 6

The key feature of authentic assessments is

Accepted Answer

Authentic assessments are designed to test students' skills and knowledge in a realistic context, such as a real-world problem, project, or task. This type of assessment allows students to apply their learning in a meaningful way and helps teachers to evaluate students' abilities in real-life situations. Authentic assessments also emphasize the process of learning, rather than just the end result, and can include a variety of assessment methods, such as observations, interviews, and performance tasks. Therefore, the key feature of authentic assessments is testing in a realistic context (choice C).

Question 7

A major difference between formative and summative tests is the

Accepted Answer

The major difference between formative and summative tests is in the interpretation of the test data. Formative tests are used to evaluate student learning and provide feedback to help students improve their performance, while summative tests are used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period to determine whether learning goals have been met. The format of test items, preparation of test directions, and role of content validity may vary between formative and summative tests, but those factors are not the major distinction between the two types of assessments.

Question 8

Which one of the following strategies does NOT tend to increase the reliability of essay test grades?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following strategies does...

Question 9

What type of test would provide the most useful information for the following question: "Are the learning outcomes for the new unit sequenced appropriately?"

Accepted Answer

A formative assessment would provide ongoing feedback throughout the learning process, allowing for adjustments to the sequencing of the unit if necessary. A diagnostic test would assess prior knowledge or skills, a placement test would determine an appropriate starting point, and a summative test would assess final mastery of the learning outcomes.

Question 10

All of the following statements are true of essay tests EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Essay tests require students to write longer and more detailed responses, so efficiency should not be a primary concern. Instead, students should demonstrate their understanding of concepts and ideas in a clear and thoughtful manner.

Question 11

"We will have weekly quizzes, but your final grade will be based only on the midterm and final exam." This decision implies that the quizzes are to be used for what type of evaluation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of "We will have weekly quizzes, but your...

Question 12

Which one of the following sources would be the LEAST likely product to be found in a student's portfolio?

Accepted Answer

Standardized test results are typically not included in a student's portfolio because they do not reflect the student's individual work or growth. Portfolios are meant to showcase a student's personal achievements and development, whereas standardized test results are based on the performance of a larger group of students and may not accurately depict an individual's abilities.

Question 13

Starch and Elliot's classic 1912 experiments dealing with the extent of teachers' personal values and biases in scoring essay tests demonstrated what measurement issue that still plagues essay scoring today?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Starch and Elliot's classic 1912 experiments dealing...

Question 14

The term objective as used in objective testing refers to the

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term objective as used in objective...

Question 15

What type of test would provide the most useful information for the following question: "Are students making satisfactory progress in learning the metric system?"

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of test would provide the...

Question 16

At the beginning of the semester, Mr. Rumstead gave a formative test for the purposes of setting objectives. At the end of the course he gave the same test to determine grades. The second time this test was given, it was used as what type of test?

Accepted Answer

The second time the test was given, it was used to determine grades, which matches the purpose of a summative assessment - to evaluate student learning at the end of a period of instruction.

Question 17

The most defensible practice for scoring essay tests is to evaluate

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most defensible practice for scoring essay...

Question 18

Exhibitions differ from portfolios because exhibitions

Accepted Answer

Exhibitions involve an immediate audience, whereas portfolios may not necessarily be presented to an audience in the same way. While both may use criterion-referenced standards, this does not differentiate them from each other in the same way as audience participation. Authentic assessments are assessments that are based on real-world tasks, and norm-referenced assessments compare an individual's performance to a group of peers, so neither of these options accurately describe the difference between exhibitions and portfolios.

Question 19

What guideline for writing multiple-choice items is violated in the following item stem? "A norm-referenced test is..."

Accepted Answer

The stem does not include a complete question, as it leaves off the end of the sentence. To be a complete question it should say "A norm-referenced test is used to _______?" or "What is a norm-referenced test?"

Question 20

Which one of the following actions is a limitation of multiple-choice tests?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following actions is...

Quiz 14: Classroom Assessment and Grading