SECTION D: IDEAS FOR DESIGNING FAIR TESTS THAT
AUTHENTICALLY ASSESS STUDENT UNDERSTANDING
The kind of questions teachers ask on tests depend on what they are trying to assess. Stan-
dard question formats include short answer or fill in, matching, true–false, multiple choice,
short or extended essays, and document-based short-answer or essay questions.
Short-answer or fill-in, matching, and true–false questions generally test whether students
recallspecific factual information. Multiple-choice questions can be used to testfactual recall
orconceptial understanding. Short or extended essays and problem-solving and document-
based short answer or essay questions are usually used to assessconceptual understanding
andacademic skills.
A. Sample Social Studies Questioning Alternatives
(11th-Grade U.S. History)
The Battle of Saratoga (1777) is considered a major turning point in the American Revolu-
tion because a victory by American forces persuaded France and Spain to enter the war as
its allies. Alternatives A–D arefact-basedquestions requiringrecallof a specific piece of in-
formation. Alternative A offers students the least information to start with so it is the most
difficult to answer.
A. (Short answer/fill in) Identify the Battle of Saratoga (1777).
B. (Matching) Battle of Saratoga (1777)andmajor turning point in the American Revolution
C. (True–false) The Battle of Saratoga (1777) was a major turning point in the American
Revolution.
D. (Multiple choice) Which battle was a major turning point in the American Revolution?
a. Quebec (1759) b. Boston Massacre (1770) c. Saratoga (1777) d. Yorktown (1781)
e. Gettysburg (1863)Alternatives E and F areconcept-basedquestions requiring an understanding of main
ideas about the American Revolution. The questions contain the information and students
are asked to explain the significance of the event. Alternative E asks students to select from
possible explanations. Alternative F is a more difficult question because it requires that stu-
dents provide the explanation.
E. (Multiple choice) Why was the Battle of Saratoga (1777) a major turning point in the
American Revolution?
a. A victory by General Washington persuaded the Continental Congress to continue
the war.
b. Victorious American forces ended slavery in the northern states.
c. A victory by American forces persuaded France and Spain to enter the war as its al-
lies.
d. British victory at Saratoga ended all hope that Canada would join the colonial upris-
ing.
F. (Short essay) Write a paragraph explaining why the Battle of Saratoga (1777) is consid-
ered a major turning point in the American Revolution.ASSESSMENT 211