CONSTRUCTION

OF SUBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS
PROF VINCENT PANG
FACULTY OF PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

SUBJECTIVE TEST
is an essay test and can be defined as test
where the candidate is given the
opportunity to answer in his/her own
words.
can be in one or several statements, one
paragraph or several paragraphs, or a
complete written composition.
The candidate is free to explain, narrate,
and present ideas in his/her own words.

TYPES OF SUBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS
1.
2.

Fixed Response Questions

Free Response

Fixed Response Questions

Fixed response questions require the candidate to give
short answers. These short answers would need the
candidate to answer in a sentence, a phrase or a
simple but concise statement.
Often this question begins with:

What
Give an example
State
Explain/Narrate
List out..
Describe
Define
Interpret
Identify

Free Response
Allows the candidate to answer freely by writing
anything that comes to mind.
The candidate is free to express his/her answer
according to their understanding/knowledge,
comprehension, views and opinions whether
through a few sentences or paragraphs.
These questions can test the candidates higher
capacity skills such as analysis level, synthesis
and evaluation.

These prolong/extend questions

normally begin with words such as

Narrate
Discuss
Explain
Compare
Differentiate
Evaluate
Summarize
Brief
Show
Plan
How
Why

Subjective Test
should build/construct a test blueprint (JSU)
construct questions in essay form
the question should be clear and complete
State the type of essay question that is to be constructed
Ensure that the words used are at the same level of the
candidates language proficiency to suit the level of
competency/skill of the question
Make sure that the question constructed can be used to test
the candidates comprehension and ability on the course
syllabus
Each question should display the approximated marks

 The number of questions should be appropriate to

increase reliability
Decide on the appropriate time period/duration for
subjective test
Make sure that the instructions for the subjective test are
clear and precise
Option to choose question is best avoided for formative
assessment
Prepare a marking/grading scheme for each question of
the subjective test analytic or holistic grading.
Inspect and check the essay questions

Analytic marking
Marks given to points/processes etc as
indicated in marking scheme
Needs very detailed making scheme
Alternatives for points

holistic marking

Ordinal scale (order)

Sort scripts according to order
Give grades based on position

Nominal scale
Scoring rubric
Give score/grade based on rubric

Scoring rubric
A

Description of the quality for A

Description of the quality for B

Description of the quality for C

Description of the quality for D

Description of the quality for E

Competency Level

There are eleven steps of mental activity when

constructing/building subjective questions such as the
following:

What, Who, When, Which and Where

List
Outline
Describe
Explain
Contrast
Compare
Discuss
Develop
Summarize
Evaluate

The Advantages/Strengths of
Subjective Questions
Easier to construct and requires less time to prepare
Subjective question is suitable for many course syllabus
The question is suitable to measure the higher level from
analysis to evaluation
The question can be used to test the candidates capability
in applying, analyzing and integrating ideas
The chances for candidate to guess the answer is
minimized
Chances for the candidate to copy from others is
minimized
Useful in detecting the source of weaknesses of the
candidate
Allows the candidate the opportunity to improve/practise
their writing skills

The Disadvantages/Weaknesses of
Subjective Questions
The areas/field to be tested is limited/confine
The candidate can predict the questions that will be asked in
the test
Not suitable to be employed especially for candidates whose
language proficiency is very weak
May have low level of reliability and validity
Marking/Grading of answer sheets may take a long
May have low objectivity due to the difficulty in
marking/grading consistently
Subjective question has low level of interpretability

THANK YOU.