8. Use several relatively short essay questions rather than one long one. Only a very limited number of essay questions can be included on a test because of the time required for students to respond to them and the time required for teachers to grade the responses.
9. Avoid the use of optional questions Students should not be permitted to choose one essay question to answer from two or more optional questions. The use of optional questions should be avoided for the following reasons
10. Improve the essay question through preview and review. The following steps can help you improve an essay item before and after you hand it out to your students making the essay question much more effective for both you and the student.