Author Test Items

`An item must contain at least one interaction, such as inline response. Items can also contain multiple interactions, such as a paired passages, an unscored drawing area for solving, and an extended text area for entering an answer. Authorized users can create a variety of item interactions in ADAM and assemble them into items. Below are general steps to create a Choice test item in AD Authoring.

See also:

• Special Features Available Across Item Types
• Duplicate, Edit and Delete Items for other actions, such as importing and exporting metadata and bulk updating item statuses
• Pages for specific item types

Create a Choice Item

To create a new choice item:

1. Select AD Authoring > Items.

2. Select the Bank where you want to create the item.

3. Click Create New.
4. Choose the layout for the interaction(s) in the item. For freestanding, single interaction items, it is usually best to leave at default 'Centered Column.' The 'Full Width Column' may be better for wide artwork, answer choices in multiple columns, or other content that would force left-right scrolling. Use Preview to choose the best option. As a best practice, put passages and other shared stimulus to the left of the item prompt, using one of the available column width distributions. See also: Shared Passages and Other Stimulus.
   
   

5. Click Add Interaction.

6. Select an item type category and then an interaction type, such as Choice.

7. Highlight ‘Enter your prompt’ and either type in text or paste in text copied from your clipboard. Images should be inserted as a file using the Image icon; do not copy and paste.

8. The Prompt box for all item interactions provides several formatting tools. See also: Formatting Toolbar.
   
   

9. In the Choices area, add the response options. You can add, remove, reorder and format choices. Be sure to indicate the correct answer.

10. The Settings section fields default to the most commonly used options, but may be adjusted as needed and will vary by item type. Use the Preview area to view the impact of setting choices. The Choice item type contains these options:
    

    • Label: Defaults to Upper Alpha (A, B, C, D), but may be adjusted for answer choices.
    • Label Suffix: Optionally, change label to 'A.' or '(A)' formatting.
    • Orientation: By default, answer choices are stacked vertically.
    • Columns: By default, answers are stacked in one column to reduce the need for left-right scrolling on small testing devices.
    • Min/Max Choices and Messages: To make this an item with two or more correct answers, Max Choices must be adjusted to support. For multi-select items, you can increase the level of difficulty by allowing the student to select more choices than the number of correct answers.  The message fields have default text that will display for the student and can be adjusted.
    • Show/Hover Rationale: See Include Rationales in an Item
    • Show Controls: This is off by default. If selected, a gray box appears around each answer choice.
      
      
    • Shuffle: Do not use if choice includes 'all of the above' or similar. For the item analysis reports, the order of choices in the item setup are reflected for all students.
11. In Score Settings, indicate the Max Points for the item. When using Partial Scoring, enter a point value in the Points column for each answer choice. Optionally, set Default and Minimum points. See also: Set Up Partial Scoring.
12. Click the Properties tab.
13. The Properties selection options for Name, Status, Standards and Metadata depend on bank configuration.  

• • Name: The field is automatically populated with a default prefix based on the item bank settings, but you can append the item to make it easier to identify.
  • Reference: Non-editable item identifier.
  • Status: The status of an item affects its visibility for certain user roles. The item bank settings determine what statuses are available.
  • Scoring Status: Used internally.
  • Depth of Knowledge (DOK): Select a DOK level from the dropdown. This does not appear in reporting.
  • Metadata: Enter data for provided fields, if available, to make searching items easier. See also: Define Item Metadata.
  • Standard: Click Add Standard and select a standard. You can repeat to add additional standards. 
  • Tools: Enable a Calculator, Protractor, and/or Ruler for the item. See also: Student Test Tools in ADAM Player.
  • Associated Exhibits: Click Modify Associations. Select from previously created Shared Stimulus. These will display in a ‘Exhibits’ button in the top toolbar when previewing a form. Multiple exhibits can be added. 
  • Source Documents: Attach source documents for reference if applicable.

Set Up Manual Scoring for an Item

Do not use manual scoring for autoscored items. Scoring option may differ by item type. See Item Types below for links to each creation page. See also: Set Up Partial Scoring.

1. In an item, click the Scoring tab.

2. Select the Manual Scoring checkbox. More options appear.

3. Optionally select Feedback Box. When enabled, scorers can enter feedback and/or rationale for their score.

4. Optionally, select Reverse Score Points to arrange trait point ranges from highest to lowest.
5. Click Add Trait to create scoring traits and set their point range. The Identifier doesn't show up anywhere and is for internal use only; it cannot be blank.
6. Be default, the Weight for each trait is 1, but you can change this number to make one or more traits worth more.
7. Optionally, link each trait to a standard to support reporting by standard.
   
8. Optionally, click the 1 in the Step column to allow scoring at .5 increments. 
9. Click Save.

Tip for Creating Items with Shared Components

If you have an item with passages, paired passages, trait scoring, etc., you won’t want to redo the same thing for multiple items. Instead, create the first item with all the elements you need. Then clone it and swap out whatever is different, such as replacing English text for Spanish. Be sure to give the new item a unique Item Name and Identifier.

See also: Shared Stimulus

Preview to Check the Item for Accuracy

Verify that the item looks and scores as expected.

1. The Preview tab at the item level includes a small triangle. When clicked, screen options are available for preview.
   
2. Show Answers: Toggle to see the correct answer.
3. Show Distractor Rationale: Toggle to view the rubric.

The 'Show Answers' toggle and navigation arrows allow users to quickly preview a group of items from the preview modal as well as preview correct responses without having to open each individual item.

Interaction Types

Select the links below for information on each item type's unique features. Some interaction types, such a geometry, facilitate formatting the prompt or can be used as a 'scratchpad' for students and do not have to be used for collecting a response.  (*These types require manual scoring.)

Tiny Link: https://support.assessment.pearson.com/x/MwGiBg