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 test item.

See also:

To create a new 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. As a best practice, put passages to the left of the item prompt.


  5. Click Add Interaction

  6. Select an interaction type, such as Choice.

  7. Enter the prompt. The Prompt box for all item interactions provides several formatting tools. Select the More Rich icon to see additional formatting options:

    • Insert Audio: Add audio by URL or upload an audio file. See also: Include Audio, Video or Images.

    • Special Characters: Insert a variety of characters such as Latin, Greek, and Math characters.

    • Insert Non-Breaking Hyphen: Insert to avoid text wrapping.

    • Insert Non-Breaking Space: Insert to avoid text wrapping.

    • Font Awesome: Insert a variety of icons.

    • Insert Horizontal Line: Insert a horizontal line for aesthetic or functional purposes (such as creating sections within a prompt).

    • Embed URL: Embed one or multiple URLs. A clickable thumbnail appears in the item. 



  8. Click the Properties tab
  9. The selection options for Name, Status, Standards, and Metadata depend on bank configuration.  Be sure to save occasionally and when done.
    • NameThe 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.
    • Status: The status of an item affects its visibility for certain user roles. The item bank settings determine what statuses are available.
    • Depth of Knowledge (DOK): Select a DOK level from the dropdown.
    • Metadata: Enter data for provided fields to make searching items easier.
    • 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-Taking Tools.
    • 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

Scoring considerations 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.

  6. Click Save.


Check the Item for Accuracy

Verify that the item looks and scores as expected.

  1. Click the Preview tab.
  2. Show Answers: Toggle to see the correct answer.
  3. Show Distractor Rationale: Toggle to view the rubric.


Select the links below for information on each item type's unique features.

Associate: Students drag text choices into gaps connected by a line to show an association between them.

Choice: Students choose one or more answers from pre-set responses.

Extended Text: Students enter text in a multi-line essay box with various formatting tools.

Math Extended Text: Students enter text in a multi-line essay box with various formatting tools and math keyboards.

Text Entry: Students enter text into stand-alone blank fields or blank fields located within text.

Hot Text: Students select one or more highlighted portions of text to give their answer(s).

Inline Choice: Students select a single text option from a dropdown menu within a table or inline text. 

Order: Students drag text or image choices into a different horizontal or vertical order.

Basic Match: Students drag image and/or text choices into labeled boxes called gaps.

Tabular Match: Students select radio buttons or check checkboxes in cells to indicate a match between the column and row labels.

Gap Match: Students drag words into one or more gaps (or cloze banks) within text or a table.

Graphic Gap Match: Students drag images to a gap (a location on a background image).

Hot Spot: Students select one or more areas called 'hot spots' on an image to give their answer.



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