Scoring Essay-Format Test Items

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

11.2 Scoring Essay-Format Test Items

A major difficulty in the use of essay-format test items is the inability to maintain consistent

scoring. The answer must clearly identify the key points of each test item, and the grading

criteria must be followed closely to ensure consistency of scoring. Effective grading criteria

eliminate bias toward trainees (whose answers appear plausible, have neat handwriting, or

are known to the instructor) by removing subjectivity and promoting objectivity.

During scoring, it is easy to drift from the established grading criteria. It is, therefore,

necessary to check each answer against the answer and grading criteria for every test. It is

also advisable for the same person to score one test item across all tests before scoring

the next test item. This increases the consistency of the scoring process.

Also during scoring, the examiner may find that a large percentage of trainees incorrectly

answer a test item. The examiner should then reevaluate the test item to determine if the

test item could have been interpreted differently than what was intended or if there may

have been other potentially correct answers.