Performance Objective: Create a table of specifications for an examination in a course which you want to teach.

Create a set of
items (at least 15) which adequately samples the table of specifications and uses at least three different item forms.
Table of Specifications Example from Measurement Theory
Major Content Area: Strategies for Academic Success

Subject: Academic Strategies_ENGL1003

The following model has been designed based on 75 hours of instruction in a regular 16-week semester. The Academic
Strategies class meets twice a week for approximately 2 hours per session. By using the different levels of thinking in Blooms
Taxonomy for required activities outside the classroom, students will complete assignments that facilitate the transference of skills
learned in the classroom to diverse activities. One of the primary goals of instruction for the Academic Strategies class is to assist
students in becoming self-regulated agents as they navigate the college system. Consequently, most of the instructional methods used
in the class will allow the classroom facilitator to create meaningful experiences that involve the application and analysis of key
learning strategies.
Specific Content Objectives

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The college system

Classroom structure and etiquette
Goal setting
Time management
Procrastination and stress
Health, eating habits, and exercise
patterns
7. Signs of academic difficulties
8. Communication skills
9. Reading
10. Critical Thinking: levels of thinking
11. Plagiarism and cyberplagiarism
12. Note-taking
13. Test preparation
14. Problem solving
15. Diversity

Knowledge

Comprehension

1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1

1
2
2

1
1

2
2
2
1

Application

1
2
3

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

2
2
2
2

1
1
1

1
1
1
1

2
1
2
2

2
2

1
1

Sample questions from final examination

Academic Strategies
ENGL1003
Your Name: ________________________

Date: __________

Instructors Name: __________________

Instructions: To successfully complete this test, take a few minutes to think about the different
strategies that you learned in this course. Most importantly, think about how the strategies will
help you from now on in your personal and professional life. Please read the questions carefully
as many of them include two or more items that need to be addressed.
Time: you have 2 (two) hours to complete the test.
1. What is a class syllabus? Why is it important to read a class syllabus during the first
week of school? In your opinion, what are the 3 (three) most important items that you
can locate in a class syllabus?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
a)_____________________________________________
b)_____________________________________________
c)_____________________________________________
2. List 1 course Learning Objective or Learner Outcome from your class Syllabus:
_________________________________ _________________
3. List 1 basic guideline for Classroom Behavior and Etiquette (as described in your
class Syllabus):
________________________________ ___________________
4. Give an example of Academic Dishonesty and list a possible consequence of such
behavior at TCC:
(example)_________________________________________________________
(consequence)______________________________________________________

5. Falling behind on assignments, missing several classes, and relying heavily on others
for help with assignments may be early warning signs of ______________
______________?
a. __Procrastination
b. __Academic Difficulty
c. __Low self-esteem

6. Written Communication, including emails to a college professor, should be constructed

in the form of a business letter?
__True or __False
7. Steve writes this goal: I will do better in math. Using the S.M.A.R.T approach
discussed in class, what should he add to improve this goal?
a. __More words, because the sentence is too short
b. __A time frame/target date so that the goal is more specific
c. __Nothing should be added as the statement is an example of a good goal
8. Suppose the chart below shows the difference between Pacos planned time and actual
time for some activities he completed last week. Look at the chart below and decide
which answer best analyzes the differences between Pacos planned time and actual
time?

Studying and homework

Exercise
Socializing/Dating

PLANNED TIME
8 hours
5 hours
5 hours

ACTUAL TIME SPENT

2 hours
6 hours
10 hours

a. __Pacos time management skills are excellent. He spent just the amount of time
he planned for on each activity.
b. __Paco spent longer on non-school activities than he had planned. Therefore, he
may need to revise his time management plans
b. __Paco spent plenty of time studying which will allow him to earn a passing
grade in his class.
9. Which option best explains why it is important for students to recognize the side effects
of stress?
a. __Students may recognize when they are experiencing stress themselves
b. __Students can help all their friends manage stress
c. __Students can totally avoid having any stress
10. Describe two (2) strategies that can be helpful to manage stress for college students:
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
11. The 2-For-1 Rule is commonly used among college students to assist in the
development of a sound time management plan. This rule states that: _____________
a. __If you buy your textbook at the TCC bookstore youll receive one for free
b. __Students should typically spend two hours studying for every hour spent in
class
c. __2 weekly planners are equal to 1 calendar page

12. According to Kathleen McWorther, learning occurs more effectively when it is broken up
(divided and spaced over time), instead of done all in one chunk. __True or __False
13. One way to motivate yourself to concentrate and meet your deadlines is to promise
yourself small rewards when you complete key tasks/accomplishments. Think about a big
project you have due for a class this semester. Put together a plan for getting it done, as
well as a reward schedule for yourself, using the instructions from the chart below.
Instructions:
First write down the Project/Task you need to do.
Then, write down the Due Date/Deadline you will give yourself.
Next, in the Accomplishment column on the left, list the steps you plan to take
(small/short-term goals) to help get the project completed on time.
Then, In the Reward column on the right, list a possible reward to give yourself for
completing each of the steps/accomplishments.
PROJECT/TASK (goal): ________________________
Strategies; Paper for Comp II)
DUE DATE (target date): ______________________
ACCOMPLISHMENT
(step towards completing the project)
1.

(examples: Essay for

REWARD
(for completing this step)

2.
3.
14. Managing money can be challenging task among college students. When analyzing
your spending patterns, what is the first step that you need to take when developing a
sound budget?
a. __Assess Tuition and fees
b. __Assess Financial obligations
c. __ Assess all the financial support you receive from your parents
15. If your total expenses exceed your total income, you have two choices, which are:
a. __You can either decrease your spending or increase your income
b. __You can decrease your income and decrease your spending
c. __You can increase your spending and decrease your income
16. Describe two (2) ways it is possible to decrease your spending:
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

17. You may not be able to change your environment (the situation) to relieve stress, but
you can always change how you think. To change how you think about stress, it is
helpful to: ___________________________
a. __Have others take charge of your responsibilities
b. __ Focus on doing the best you can in the situation without developing a plan
c. __Focus on the benefits of achieving the goal (instead of the consequences of
failure)
18. Create a Stress Reduction Action Plan by completing the information below:
Problem: _______________________________________________________________
(What is something you are doing now that needs to change? Think about a
behavior/action/way of thinking/activity that is not helpful or is increasing your stress)
(Create a long term goal related to reducing or managing your stress)
Long Term Goal _________________________________________________________
Target Date: ____________
(Write 1 intermediate goal to help you reach the Long Term goal you created above)
Intermediate Goal:
________________________________________________________________________
Target Date: _______
(Create three (3) Short Term Goals/steps to take, to help you complete the Intermediate
goal. Make sure your goals are specific and measurable using the S.M.A.R.T approach
used in class.)
Short Term Goals/action steps to take/or daily tasks:
1) ___________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________
What is the result you expect from completing your goal (what positive benefit do you
expect to see? What do you hope will be different or better in your life?)
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
How will you measure and evaluate your progress towards reaching your goal? (How
will you know your plan is working, or not working? How will you know when you have
achieved your goal? )
1) __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Samples of short-essay questions:

The Academic Strategies class orients students to TCC campuses and college services, emphasizing
personal and social strategies to increase student involvement in college and community activities. The
class requires students to analyze and apply study techniques and behavior patterns essential to college
success, apply critical and creative thinking skills to solve academic and social problems, and construct
goals and time plans to balance work, school, and family. According the course objectives:

1. Describe the progress you made this semester toward your educational goals. In your
description include two (2) examples of accomplishments you achieved this semester
in college and a list of the strategies that helped you achieve your goals.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. What are your two (2) major goals for next semester? What strategies will you use to
achieve each of these goals?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. On a scale of 1 to 10 (ten is the highest amount), in your classes this semester, how
much did you participate in your own learning? (Place the scale number in each box
below.)
Did you attend class regularly?

Did you set-up a weekly schedule for school,

work, and family life?

Were you always on time?

Did you monitor and complete weekly and

semester goals?

Were you prepared for class?

Did you participate in class activities?

Did you complete at least 85% of

your homework?

Did you ask questions in class when you were

confused?

Did you take notes during class?

Did you analyze the reading assignments and

mark your books?

Did you study for exams using

multiple study sessions?

Did you complete a study guide for your exams

(or create one)?

4. In describing your level of participation in your own learning this semester in

Question #4, discuss at least two (2) changes you have experienced in your attitude or
perceptions about college life. If no changes occurred, explain why not.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________