Matching Item: Suggestion for writing.

Suggestion for Test Writer

 In producing a  Matching Instruments, the test writer should take into consideration a few  factors in constructing this test type.  The guidelines  are as follow:

1. Keep both list of description the the list of options  fairly short  and homogeneous whereby both should fit on the  same page.  Title the list to ensure homogeneity and arrange the descriptions and options in some logical  order. Avoid including too wide a variety in the exercise.
2. Ensure that all the options  are plausible  distractors for each description to ensure  the same classifications  of the listed items.
3. Longer phrases or statements should be used as the lists of descriptions meanwhile the options should use  short phrases , words and symbols.
4. Each of the description in the list should be numbered , and the list of options should be identified by letter.
5. More options than descriptors should be included . If the option list  is longer than the description list , it is harder  for the students to eliminate  options. Always include some options that do not match any of the descriptions, or some that match more than one, or both. 
6. In the  direction, specify the basis for matching  and whether  options can be used more than once.