Short-Answer Test Items

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

4. SHORT-ANSWER TEST ITEMS

Short-answer items require the trainee to write a response in contrast to selecting from

among a set of alternative responses. A short-answer item may be presented in such a way

as to give the trainee freedom to express ideas or it may restrict a response to a given

content area or answer format. This test item format is useful in testing knowledge,

comprehension, and simple application. This format is more objective than essay-format

test items; however, it is not free from subjectivity in scoring. The "guess-factor" is reduced

from that of a multiple-choice test item because the chance of successfully guessing the

answer is less. Because of varying trainee responses, the person grading the test item

needs a definitive answer key and an understanding of the subject matter.

There are three common styles of short-answer test items: completion, fill-in-the-blank, and

list/diagram completion. In each case, the trainee must supply the correct answer. Because

the developer of a short-answer test item often has clear ideas about expected answers, it is

essential that model answers, acceptable alternatives, and associated grading criteria be

written at the same time as the test item.

Examples of short-answer test items are:

Completion:

How many protons and electrons does the element hydrogen contain?

Fill-in-the-blank:

In a pressurized water reactor, fuel pellets of

are clad in

; the primary

coolant is