Start with your learning outcomes. Choose objective and subjective assessments that match your learning outcomes and the level of complexity of the learning outcome.
Use a test blueprint. A test blueprint is a rubric, document, or table that lists the learning outcomes to be tested, the level of complexity, and the weight for the learning outcome (see sample). A blueprint will make writing the test easier and contribute immensely to test validity. Note that Bloom’s taxonomy can be very useful with this activity. Share this information with your students, to help them to prepare for the test.
Let your students know what to expect on the test. Be explicit; otherwise students may make incorrect assumptions about the test.
Word questions clearly and simply. Avoid complex questions, double negatives, and idiomatic language that may be difficult for students, especially multilingual students, to understand.
Have a colleague or instructional assistant read through (or even take) your exam. This will help ensure your questions and exam are clear and unambiguous. This also contributes to the reliability and validity of the test
Assess the length of the exam. Unless your goal is to assess students’ ability to work within time constraints, design your exam so that students can comfortably complete it in the allocated time. A good guideline is to take the exam yourself and time it, then triple the amount of time it took you to complete the exam, or adjust accordingly.
Write your exam key prior to students taking the exam. The point value you assign to each question should align with the level of difficulty and the importance of the skill being assessed. Writing the exam key enables you to see how the questions align with instructional activities. You should be able to easily answer all the questions. Decide if you will give partial credit to multi-step questions and determine the number of steps that will be assigned credit. Doing this in advance assures the test is reliable and valid.
Design your exam so that students in your class have an equal opportunity to fully demonstrate their learning. Use different types of questions, reduce or eliminate time pressure, allow memory aids when appropriate, and make your questions fair. An exam that is too easy or too demanding will not accurately measure your students’ understanding of the material.