Ideal test items
Critical content should be readily apparent and identified for analysis, avoiding cleverness, trickery, and verbal complexity
Use simple, direct language in declarative sentences
Present the correct part of the statement first,
and vary the truth or falsity of the second part if the statement expresses a relationship (cause, effect--if, then)
Statements must be absolute without qualification,
subject to the true/false dichotomy without exceptions
Every part of a true sentence must be "true"
If any one part of the sentence is false,
the whole sentence is false despite many other true statements.
Paraphrase, and do not directly quote,
course content to avoid burdening students with detailed verbal analyses, maintain focus on differentiating, as well as avoid copyright issues
Include background, qualifications, and context as necesary:
"According to...., ...."
In developing a question with a qualifier, negative or absolute word,
substitute or experiment with variations to find the best phrase and assessment