Characteristics of A Good Test

faten forever · #1 22-06-2010, 02:11 PM

Characteristics of A GoodTest
1- Validity:
A test isconsidered as valid when it measures what it is supposed tomeasure.
2- Reliability :
A test isconsidered reliable if it is taken again by the same students under the samecircumstances and the score average is almost the constant , taking intoconsideration that the time between the test and the retest is of reasonablelength.
3- Objectivity:
Objectivitymeans that if the test is marked by different people, the score will be the same . In other words, marking process should not be affected by the marking person'spersonality.
4- Comprehensiveness:
A good testshould include items from different areas of material assigned for the test. e.g ( dialogue – composition – comprehension – grammar – vocabulary – orthography – dictation – handwriting )
5- Simplicity:
Simplicitymeans that the test should be written in a clear , correct and simple language , it is important to keep the method of testing as simple as possible while stilltesting the skill you intend to test . ( Avoid ambiguous questions and ambiguousinstructions ) .
6- Scorability :
Scorabilitymeans that each item in the test has its own mark related to the distribution ofmarks given by ( The Ministry of Education) .

Whilepreparing our usual tests, we need to have many important points in our minds aswe write them :
1- Organization of data, school ,subject ,term , session and time.
2- Amount of questionsshould suit the allotted time .
3- Printing should be clear , handwritten exam are not accepted
4- Gradation ,arrange theitems from easiest to most difficult so as not to discourage the less able .
5- Instructions should givestudents all the information they need in terms they can understand
6- Questions shouldadequately sample the content area ,global , including different parts from thewhole and not focusing on certain lessons .
7- Keep the mechanics simpleand clear . Don’t mix types of test items ,(general questions in place oflanguage item or vice versa )
8- Test should involve thecognitive ,effective and psychomotor skills that are important to the units ,varied (subjective and objective questions )and measure different aspects .reasoning ,observation ,comprehending and deducing.
9- All branches of the languagetaught during the school year should be Included.
JAmbiguous questions are tobe disregarded.
10- Avoid questions that depend onimagination or the unknown.
11- Questions paper should notinclude direct or indirect implications to any answer.
JGrading should beaccurate.
12- Plan for easy scoringand do not confuse yourself with too many particles of marks .
JFollow samples given bysupervisors.
13- Model answers are to be writtenon a separate sample of the questions paper in blue particles in red and totalmarks in green .
JPossible answers are to beincluded or write “or any acceptable answer”