What Are the Characteristics of Test Items in High School Exit Exams? An International Comparison

• In Event: Roundtable Session 57
  In Roundtable Session: Rethinking High-Stakes Assessments: College Readiness, State Comprehensive Assessments, and Educator Evaluation in the United States and Abroad

Abstract

Test items in high school exit exams are used to assess whether and how students achieve national standards. Also, they should secure comparable results and educational quality. However, only little is known about their characteristics, for instance whether they depict features of authentic assessment (e.g. Wiggins, 1998). Therefore, the project aims to analyze biology test items in six European OECD states. Focusing content and cognitive process-related dimensions, the project shall disclose the general exam practice as well as trends concerning content and cognitive dimensions of the items. The results shall show whether the items are “tasks worth teaching to”. By identifying good practice, the study results can also practically contribute to the development of items designed to improve biology instruction.

Author

• Mirko Krüger, University of Duisburg-Essen