Short-Answer Test Items cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

List/diagram completion:

Complete the blanks in the following list, indicating thermocouple type and material:

MATERIAL

TYPE

Alumel-

Iron+

Constantan-

Chromel+

Constantan-

Platinum-

R or S

Rhodium+

These formats are easy to construct and score. However, the disadvantages frequently

outweigh the advantages, since spelling errors, grammatical errors, and legibility complicate

the scoring process. Test graders cannot anticipate all possible responses and synonyms

for the responses they expect, and therefore, often have to make subjective judgements on

the correctness of trainees' responses.

Short-answer test items can be used to elicit various abilities. These include:

Recalling terminology, facts, symbols, and classifications

Applying rules and making interpretations of data and other information

Solving scientific and mathematical problems

Manipulating symbols and balancing mathematical and chemical equations.