Preparing a Table of Specifications

A Table of Specifications or (TOS) is a test map that guides the teacher in

constructing a test. It is a table that maps out the test objectives, contents, or
topics covered by the test, the levels of cognitive behavior to be measured; the
distribution of test items, number placement and weights of test items and the
test format. It helps ensure that the course’s intended outcomes, assessments
and instructions are aligned.
Importance of TOS:
1. Ensures that the instructional objectives and what the test captures match
2. Ensures that the test developer will not overlook details that are considered
essential to a good test
3. Makes developing a test easier and more efficient
4. Ensures that the test will sample all important content areas and processes
5. Is useful in planning and organizing
6. Offers an opportunity for teachers and students to clarify achievement
expectations
Steps in Developing a Table of Specifications
1. Determine the objectives of the test.
There are 3 types of objectives: cognitive, affective and psychomotor. When
planning for assessment, choose only the objectives that can be best captured
by a written test. There are objectives that are not meant for a written test. For
example, if you test the psychomotor domain, it is better to do a performance-
based assessment. Those that require demonstration or creation of something
tangible like projects would also be more appropriately measured by
performance-based assessment. For a written test, you can consider cognitive
objectives that could be measured using common formats for testing.
2. Determine the coverage of the test. Only topics or contents that have been
discussed in class should be included in the test.
3. Calculate the weight for each topic. The weight assigned per topic in the test
is based on the time spent to cover each topic during instruction. The
percentage of time for a topic in a test is 44 determined by dividing the time
spent for that topic during instruction by the total amount of time spent for all
topics covered in the test.
4. Determine the number of items for the whole test. As a general rule, students
are given 30-60 seconds for each item in test formats with choices. For a one-
hour class, this means that the test should not exceed 60 items. However, you
need also to give time for test paper distribution and giving instructions, the
number of items should be less, maybe just 50 items.
5. Determine the number of items per topic. To determine the number of items
to be included in the test, the weights per topic are considered. Simply
remember this equation:
Number of items = no. of hrs spent in teaching the topic/total amount of time
spent for all topica x total number of the test

Two-Way TOS.
A two-way TOS reflects not only the content, time spent, and the number of
items but also the levels of cognitive behavior targeted per test content. One
advantage of this format is that it allows one to see the levels of cognitive skills
and dimensions of knowledge that are emphasized by the test.

Sample of Two-Way Table of Specifications

ITEM SPECIFICATION
Topic No. % No. Rememberi Undertandi Applyi Analyzi Evaluati Creatin
of of ng ng ng ng ng g
hour item
s s
21st 2 20% 4 1-3 6
Century
Assessmen
t
Types of 3 30% 6 8-10 11-13
assessmen
t
Nature of 5 50% 10 4-5 14-15 7 16-18 19-20
Performan
ce-Based
Assessmen
t
TOTAL 10 100 20 8 2 3 2 3 2
%