Development of Written Test Items cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

Test item:

If it takes 12.5 cubic feet of concrete to build a square loading pad 6 inches

thick, what is the length of one side of the pad?

This test item gives the test takers information they should be asked to calculate, while it

requires them to provide information that would be supplied in an actual work situation. In

constructing your test items, make sure that you include information that trainees would

typically have or have access to, and require responses that reflect the decisions, or

calculations, or other information they would typically have to supply.

Place the easier test items at the beginning of each section. These test items help trainees

gain composure and confidence. However, this is not to say that extremely easy test items

should be included in the exam for the sole sake of relieving trainee tension.

Finally, a test item must be worded so that it discriminates between those who have

mastered the objective and those who have not. A well-written test item should parallel the

objective that it is testing.