Assessment questions

Writing Good Exam Questions

There is certainly a difference between good and bad questions, or rather, easy questions that only test recall, and well-designed questions that engage students and draw on higher levels of thinking skills. Dr Kate Exley’s (2012) Writing Good Exam Questions - A Self-study Workbook gives advice on writing masters-level examination questions. She provides user-friendly advice on writing questions and gives many examples and tips.

“The goal – Test items should be really difficult for people who don't understand the subject material, but they should be straightforward for those who do. If an item is difficult because of complicated wording (e.g., double negatives) or vocabulary, you will end up testing language skills rather than ability in the discipline”

Exley (2012: 6)

Guidance on writing essay test items

You may wish to review the guidance on writing essay test items by the University of Illinois.

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Assessment feedback feedforward policy and guidance

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A number of staff contributed and provided content, case studies, advice and guidance and peer review including HISA representatives. Particular thanks are due to these names listed.

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