C.1 Short-Answer Test Item Examples cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

APPENDIX C

TEST ITEM EXAMPLES

(b)

Rod density is the number of control rod notches _______ as a fraction of the

total number of control rod notches. One hundred percent rod density is

achieved when all rods are _______.

(c)

The _______ fraction of limiting power density is the _______ value of FLPD

that exists in the core.

Word List:

(a) Maximum

(e) Inserted

(b) Minimum

(d) Largest (f) Withdrawn

Answer:

(a) 2

(b) 5,5

Comment:

Since the alternatives are provided, this is actually a matching test item.

Completion test items should not be used if the intent is to test complex

knowledge.

The answer choices are identified by numbers not letters (does not match

instructions).

The word list includes synonymous distractors (e.g., maximum versus largest,

smallest versus minimum).

The acronym MCPR identifies the correct answer as beginning with "M."

C-4