Item Writing Checklist

General Guidelines

	Create original content.
	Write items that are independent of one another.
	Keep the language simple.
	Keep the items succinct.
	Avoid words such as "often," "sometimes," "usually," and "rarely" that can add ambiguity.

Multiple Choice

	Use a complete sentence or question in the stem.
	Use negation only when necessary.
	Write only two or three distractors.
	Avoid complex choices such as A and B but not C.
	Avoid "all of the above."
	Avoid "none of the above."
	Place choices in logical order.
	Avoid testwise cues including the following:
	- Related choices or choices that are the opposite of one another.
	- Answers that are the longest choice.
	- Answers with keywords shared with the stem.
	- Answers that are the most general choice.
	- Distractors that are not grammatical with the stem.
	- Distractors with absolute words such as "always" or "never."

True/False

	Use negation only when necessary.
	Keep the length of true and false statements similar.
	Avoid absolute words such as "always" and "never."

Matching

	Include more choices than descriptions.
	Allow choices to be selected more than once.
	List choices in logical order.
	Do not place a keyword from a description in a choice.
	Ensure all choices are grammatical with the descriptions.

Open-Ended

Write items so that they elicit single answers.

Essays

	Include initial focusing information in the prompt.
	Write a clear purpose of the essay.
	Use action verbs that elicit appropriate thinking.
	Specify a recommended length of the essay.
	Make available to students the scoring criteria/rubric.