Item Types

Definition

There are different types of items that vary depending on the type of question they ask, how it is answered, and how it is edited.

Use

The Test Author supports three types of multiple choice items and two further item types. With these two item types, the participant must rate answers or complete answers him or herself. A multiple choice item is usually in the form of a question. The test candidate must select the right answer(s) from a list of two or more possible answers.

Structure

The Test Author supports the following item types:

Multiple Choice Items

  • MC item : Multiple Choice Item

    This item has one right answer and several wrong answers (distracters). The participant must select the right answer.

    This item type is suitable for True/False items. The participant must specify which of two answers is right.

  • MR item : Multiple Response Item

    This is an extension of the MC item. The participant must select two or more right answers from the alternatives offered.

  • MR explicit : Multiple Response Explicit Item

    This is an extension of the MR item. The participant must explicitly state whether each of the alternative answers offered is right or wrong. This type of item allows you to detect gaps in the participant’s knowledge.

Other Item Types

  • Fill-in item (gap or cloze test item)

    With this item, the participant is required to enter the answer in a text field, without the aid of possible answers. The entry is checked against the right answer and a number of synonyms. If a match is found, the answer is marked right.

  • Rating

    This item consists of a statement that the participant must rate by giving it a score (scale value). The possible answers are weighted in ascending or descending order. The author provides the participant with a multi-level scale of values and the corresponding texts.

    Rating items can be used in surveys and evaluations to collect participants’ opinions about courses or trainers, for instance.