University of the Cordilleras

College of Teacher Education

Third Trimester, 2021-2022

Prof Ed 104 (Assessment in Learning 1)

Instructor: Jonas L. Depaynos, MA AS

Module 7 – Table of Specification

Objective:

At the end of the topic, the students are expected to construct a sample table
of specification (TOS) of a periodical examination on a predetermined grade level,
subject area, and grading period.

Activate Prior Knowledge:

Which will you prepare first:

Table of Specification or Test Question?

Acquire New Knowledge, Analysis, Application:

What is a ‘Table of Specification’?

✓ The blueprint of a test which is a plan to help teachers decide the subject matter
in which to test (Chase, 1999)

Purposes
✓ Ensures that a fair and representative sample of questions appear on the test
✓ Allows the teacher to construct a test that focuses on the key areas and weighs
those different areas based on their importance
✓ Provides the teacher with evidence that a test has content validity, that it covers
what should be covered

How can the use of a TOS benefit the students?

✓ It improves the validity of teacher-made tests.
✓ It can improve student learning as well.

Figure 1. The Process

Objectives Teaching & Learning Testing

Instructional objectives Decide on the relative Balance the items

> >
or other categories of emphasis that each (in proportion to
behavior component should importance)
receive in the test

Need to Consider and Decide

✓ Weight to be given to each topic
(contact hours should be directly proportional to weight)
✓ Weight to be given to each level of taxonomy
(more on or purely HOTS, i.e., higher order thinking skills)

Guidelines in Making TOS

✓ Subject ✓ Number of Items
✓ Grade Level ✓ Number of Points
✓ Types of Learners ✓ Topics
✓ Duration ✓ Types of Test
 Types of Blueprint/TOS
✓ One-way
- Simple listing of the topics
✓ Two-way (default)
- A two-way grid with major content areas listed in one margin and the
weight on the other
- It enables the teacher to prepare a test containing representative
sample of student knowledge in each of the areas tested

Table 1. Sample TOS 1 of 2

Objective No. of Weight Type of Test No. of

Hours Items/Points
Identifies parts of the
1 25% Identification 5/5
circulatory system
Explains function of each
Multiple-
part in relation to the whole 2 50% 10/10
choice
body
Distinguishes relationship
between the circulatory
1 25% Essay 1/5
system and other body
systems

Table 2. Sample TOS 2 of 2

Type of # of # of
Topic % Location
Test Items Points
- Educational Measurement, 5 5 5.56 1–5
Evaluation, and Assessment (MEA)
- Purposes of Assessment in Making 5 5 5.56 6 – 10
Instructional Decisions Multiple-
- Historical Background choice 10 10 11.11 11 – 20
- MEA Tools 10 10 11.11 21 – 30
- Types & Approaches of Evaluation 10 10 11.11 31 – 40
- Types of Test 10 10 11.11 41 – 50
Matching
- Characteristics of Quality Test 10 10 11.11 1 – 10
Type
- Educational MEA Modified 2 4 4.44 1–2
- Types of Evaluation Alternative 4 8 8.89 3–6
- Historical Background Response 4 8 8.89 7 – 10
- Types/Purposes of Evaluation Essay 1 10 11.11 1
Total 71 90 100

Assessment:
Construct a two-way TOS focusing on your own field of specialization. For topic
accuracy, refer to the curriculum guides provided by the
Department of Education. (20 points)

Include the following before your TOS:

Subject: _______________________________
Grade Level: _______________________________
Grading Period: _______________________________
Duration: _______________________________
Sample Output: