Checklist determining the quality of objective test items

Contained in the table below are some criteria for compiling good objective test items.
W hen assessing objective test items, use the table as a checklist to determine whether your test item is up to
standard.

Instructions: If you have selected more ‘Yes’ than ‘No’ boxes, then you are on the right
track in setting up good objective test items. Thus a good quality objective test item
assessment. However, if there are any ‘No’ boxes ticked then that specific item needs to be
altered. Give special attention to the ‘No’ ticked box and re-formulate the test item to improve
the overall quality of the assessment.

Criteria for writing good True – False Item

Yes No
Are clear instructions given before the start of the true – false item?

Yes No
Are the questions items constructed definitely true?

Yes No
Are the questions items constructed definitely false?

Yes No
Are relatively short statements given in the test item?

Yes No
Are the true – false items the same length?

Yes No
Are there no double-negative question items in the item?

Yes No
Did the teacher refrain from using statements out of context?

Criteria for writing good Matching Items

Yes No
Is the list of descriptions fairly short?

Yes No
Is the list of descriptions fairly homogeneous?

Yes No
Are the lists titled to ensure homogeneity?

Yes No
Are you sure that all the options are plausible distracters?

Yes No
Is the list of descriptions phrased as longer statements than the options?
 Criteria for writing good Multiple-Choice Items

Yes No
Does the stem of the item clearly formulate the problem?

Yes No
Is there only one correct answer?

Yes No
Is the distracter also plausible?

Yes No
Are negative questions in the test item kept to a minimal?

Yes No
Are more than three options (plus one correct answer) included to optimise
knowledge testing?

Criteria for writing good Completion Items

Yes No
Does the item have a single-word answer?

Yes No
Does the test item pose a problem to the examinee?

Yes No
Is the teacher making use of a direct question?

Yes No
Does the item have a definite statement?

Yes No
Is the required answer that the student needs to produce factually correct?

Yes No
Is the required answer that the student needs to produce accurate?

Yes No
Are the language used in this test item precise?

Total
Calculate the total of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ ticks. Yes
No

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