Guidelines for Valid Assessment Items:

Longer stem, shorter options.

Grammar & Vocabulary:

Keep the grammar (e.g. verb tense) consistent.

Don’t repeat a word in an option used in the stem.

Keep the readability appropriate.

Avoid “all of the above,” or “none of the above.”

Avoid “always” or “never.”

All options the same length, with similar detail (i.e. “parallel”).

Present numerical options consistently.

Only ONE correct response.

Avoid burying formulas, data, etc. in the text.

Don’t be trivial.

Use concise, straightforward language.

Be clear: No unnecessary or redundant information.

Don’t be tricky or cute.

Avoid bias.

Don’t ask “What do you think?” or “What would you do?”

Avoid using stems that end with “except” or “not”.

“Which of the following…?” is preferred over “What…?”