Short-Answer/Completion Questions

Short-answer or completion questions can be administered in a short amount of time. They are relatively easier to write and score. However, instructors may find it difficult to identify defensible criteria for correct answers (Worthen et al., 1999). Setting those questions to be graded automatically requires careful considerations of different possibilities-- for example, case sensitive (e.g., boat, Boat, BOAT, etc.) or with or without decimal for numbers (e.g., 25, 25.00). 

The following are some guidelines to write good short-answer questions (Worthen et al., 1999).

• Questions should be clear and concise that only a specific word or phrase are correct answer.
• Omit only significant words or phrases from the questions.
• Questions should contain sufficient information so students who master the content can answer.
• Questions that require numeric answers should specify the degree of precision (e.g., two decimals).

Practice

Are the following completion questions good or poor and why? (Flashcard)

 

Reference

• Worthen, B. R., White, K. R., Fan, X., & Sudweeks, R. R. (1999). Measurement and assessment in schools (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Addison Wesley Longman.