General Guidelines in Constructing

Multiple Choice Test

Make a test that is practical or with real-world applications to the

students.

Use diagram or drawing when asking questions about application,

analysis or evaluation.

When ask to interpret or evaluate about quotations from secondary

sources like published books or newspaper.

Use tables, figures or charts when asking question to interpret.

Use pictures if possible when students are required to apply

concepts and principles.

List the choices/options vertically not horizontally.

Avoid trivial questions.

Use only one correct answer or best answer format.

Use Three (3) to Five (5) options to discourage guessing.

Be sure that distracters are plausible and effective.

Increase the similarity of options to increase the difficulty of the

item.

Do not use “None of the above “ options when asking for the best

answer.

Avoid using “All of the above ” options. It is usually the correct

answer and makes the item too easy for the examinee with partial

knowledge.
 Guidelines in Constructing

Matching Type Test

The descriptions and options must be short and homogenous.

The descriptions must be written at the left side and marked with

Column A and the options must be written at the right side and

marked it with Column B to save time for examinees.

There should be more options than descriptions or indicate in the

directions that each option may be used more than once to decrease

the chance of guessing.

When using names, always include the complete name to avoid

ambiguities.

Use numbers for descriptions and capital letters for the options to

avoid confusions to the students that have a reading problem.

Arrange the options into a chronological order or alphabetical order.

The descriptions and options must be written in the same page.

 Guidelines in Constructing

True-False Test

Make questions require application of knowledge as much as

possible.

Always make certain the statement is unequivocally True or False.

When using opinion statements, cite the source that will make the

complete statement True or False.

Develop approximately the same number of True or False

statements.

Do not consistently make true statements longer than False

statements, or Vice Versa.

Avoid negative and complicated statements.

Words such as “All”, “Only”, “Never”, and “Always” give hints about

the answer and are usually false. Use them only when the question

is to measure understanding.