We present the design, statistical analysis, and validation of a questionnaire to assess students' knowledge about basic aspects of quantum mechanics (QM). The QM evaluation (QME) is a true-false and multiple-choice mixed questionnaire that features 10 two-tier items spanning three relevant themes in quantum mechanics: wave behavior of matter,…

A problem faced by many instructors is that of designing exams that accurately assess the abilities of the students. Typically, these exams are prepared several days in advance, and generic question scores are used based on rough approximation of the question difficulty and length. For example, for a recent class taught by the author, there were…

We introduce a specific type of item for knowledge tests, confidence-weighted true-false (CTF) items, and review experiences of its application in psychology courses. A CTF item is a statement about the learning content to which students respond whether the statement is true or false, and they rate their confidence level. Previous studies using…

This paper discusses how modifying the true-or-false (T/F) test, by requiring written explanations, reveals major weaknesses and hazards of the simple (unexplained) T/F tests popular among teachers. But, more important, the modification transforms the test into a very efficient formative assessment tool. It opens a window that allows a teacher to…

Since 1973, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has gathered information about student achievement in mathematics. Results of these periodic assessments, produced in print and web-based formats, provide valuable information to a wide variety of audiences. They inform citizens about the nature of students' comprehension of the…

Measurement is a necessary component for research in psychology and education. Researchers use various tests as tools to measure a given construct, making it necessary to have tests that assess a given construct accurately. There are specific principles necessary to follow when constructing a test. This paper discusses the principles for…

While today's curriculum is largely driven by standards, many teachers find the lack of specificity in the standards to be confounding and even intimidating. Now this practical book provides middle and high school teachers with explicit guidance on designing specific objectives and developing appropriate formative and summative assessments to…

Essay questions have been a stable fixture of teacher assessment activity for decades. Assessment reforms of the early 90's encouraged the development and use of "newer" forms of assessment including portfolios, performance tasks, and authentic assessments. As of late, however, there appears to be a regressive emphasis toward the use of…

Reprinted from "The BC English Teacher, April 1969. (SW)

The grouping procedure for objective type examinations described in this paper can be a helpful tool in making examinations learning experiences for students. The technique provides instructors with specific information for planning remedial programs and helps them evaluate the curriculum and their teaching. (Author)

The present study was concerned with several currently unanswered questions, two of which are: what is an empirically determined ratio of multiple choice to equivalent true-false items which can be answered in a given amount of time?; and for achievement test items administered within a classroom situation, which of the two formats under…

Discussion of the attributes of the "Canadian English Language Achievement Test ; paper presented at annual convention of Canadian Council of Teachers of English (1st, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 1968). (RD)

Questions designed for student evaluation in a U.S. history course combine the features of both an objective and essay test. (DE)

This report traces the development of 20 objective test items for secondary mathematics, part of an Evaluation Project designed to compile a reservoir of items to serve as prototypes for teacher-constructed tests. The report first shows how an individual item is written and tested. Next, a classification system of items by subject matter and pupil…

Discusses (1) perspectives from which standardized test developers, users, and interpreters must consider test results; (2) test components that affect student test performance; (3) test abuses that contribute to the shortening of tests; and (4) how educators can effect a change in the increased reliance on standardized tests. (HTH)