Tips for Creating Your Own Tests
The first step in creating teacher-made tests is to identify the targeted skills to be assessed. It is important to remember that all tests do not need to be written. Often students’ demonstrations of their skills or competencies are a more accurate reflection of their abilities. The following are suggested steps to consider in the process of developing teacher-made tests: 1. Determine the key concepts/competencies to be assessed. a. What concept/competency are you testing? b. What skill or competency are you asking the student to demonstrate? 2. Determine how you will administer the assessment. a. Verbal response/oral interview? b. Demonstration? c. As a written product or self-assessment? 3. Prepare as clearly as possible both written and verbal direction for taking the test. a. In preparing directions consider the following: i. Are they expressed in the simplest form possible? ii. Do they explain all steps required? iii. Is an explanation needed for any of the directions? b. After the student has taken the test, improvements in directions can be made through assessing responses to the following questions: i. Can the students repeat and explain what is expected? ii. Do the answers indicate the student has sufficient knowledge of the concept or skill? iii. Was the student able to demonstrate the skill at the desired proficiency level? 4. If you have determined that a written test is necessary, you can modify existing tests by simplifying them, or you may choose to write new tests. The following are effective testing techniques for ELLs: a. Asking students to match object names with pictures. b. Asking students to answer short questions related to charts or diagrams. c. Requiring that students match vocabulary words with definitions (To avoid allowing students to use a process of elimination to obtain answers, you may wish to offer a larger number of definitions in relation to the vocabulary words.) 5. Repeat grammar forms when asking questions: a. What tool is used for ________? What liquid is used for _________? 6. Use fill-in statements accompanied by word lists. Often ELLs avoid answering these questions because they are unsure of spelling. By offering a word list, the focus remains on concepts and vocabulary rather than spelling. 7. Avoid using true/false questions. These are often confusing to ELLs and create a guessing game atmosphere.