Multiple-Choice Test Item Writing Procedure cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

Make all answer options homogeneous and plausible. For example, the choices of answers

to the following test item illustrates these characteristics:

Test item:

On a loss of condenser circulating water intake, the upper surge tank, hotwell,

and condensate storage tank will supply sufficient feedwater to allow decay

heat removal for approximately:

Better

Poor

15 minutes

8 hours

24 hours

48 hours

3 months

72 hours

One method of changing the difficulty level of a test item is to vary the similarity among

answer options. Develop distractors that are similar enough to be chosen by those who do

not meet the testing objective, yet different enough so that they do not test trivial issues or

distinctions. If the answer options have a logical sequence, put them in order.

Avoid overlapping answer options:

Test item:

The SPND uses rhodium which decays with a half-life of 42 seconds. How long

will it take for a detector to indicate approximately 95% of an instantaneous

power level change?

Poor

Better

2-4 minutes

1-2 minutes

4-6 minutes

3-4 minutes

6-8 minutes

5-6 minutes

8-10 minutes

7-8 minutes