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Creating Effective Classroom Tests
by Christine Coombe and Nancy Hubley
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IV. Guidelines for Classroom Testing

· Test to course outcomes

· Test what has been taught, how it has been taught

· Weight exam according to outcomes and course emphases

· Organize exam with student time allocation in mind

· Test one language skill at a time unless integrative testing is the intent

· Set tasks in context wherever possible

· Choose formats that are authentic for tasks and skills

· Avoid mixing formats within one exam task

· Distinguish between recognition, recall, and production in selecting formats

· Design test with entire test sections and tasks in mind

· Prepare unambiguous items well in advance

· Sequence items from easy to more difficult

· Items receiving equal weight should be of equal difficulty

· Write clear directions and rubrics

· Provide examples for each format

· Write more items than you need

· Avoid sequential items

· Take your test as a student before finalizing it

· Make the test easy and fair to grade

· Develop practice tests and answer keys simultaneously

· Specify the material to be tested to the students

· Acquaint students with techniques and formats

· Administer test in uniform, non-distracting conditions

· For subjective formats, use multiple raters whenever possible

· Provide timely feedback to students

· Reflect on exam without delay

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