MATCHING TYPE OF TEST

GERELDINE M. DUPITAS
DEFINITION
• An objective test consisting of two sets of items to be
matched with each other for a specified attribute.

• A “recognition” and “structured-response” type of

test

• The matching type may be considered as modified

multiple choice type items where the choices
progressively reduce as one successfully matches the
items on the left with the items on the right.
DEFINITION
• Has two columns with each concept in the one
column being matched with a concept in the other
column.

• Measures the ability to identify the relationship

between a set of similar items, each of which has
two components, such as words and their
definitions, symbols and their meanings, dates and
events, causes and effects, people and their
accomplishments, problems and solutions, etc.
 PREMISES COLUMN

the column for which a match is

right.
 RESPONSE COLUMN

the column from which to choose

the match
PERFECT MATCH – when the
number of items in the premises
column is equal to the number of
items in the response column.
IMPERFECT MATCH – when the
premises column has less items
than the response column
 ADVANTAGES
Validity and reliability of the matching
type exams are higher than the essay.
The sampling of the examination is
more representative and so
measurement is more extensive. This
is because more items are included in
the test compared to essay.
 ADVANTAGES
Handicaps such as poor vocabulary, poor-
handwriting, poor spelling, poor grammar and
the like do not adversely affect the ability to
make a reply

Scoring is not subjective, because responses are

single word, letters and other symbols with
definite value points and hence, the personal
element of the scorer is removed.
 ADVANTAGES
Saves time and energy in answering the
questions

Easy to check.

Allows the comparison of related ideas,

concepts or theories.
 DISADVANTAGES
It is hard to prepare.

It measures factual knowledge only

It does not help in nor encourage the
development of the ability of the students
to organize and express their ideas
 DISADVANTAGES
It encourages memory work even without
understanding.

There are certain subjects or courses that are

not amendable to objective examinations
It may encourage cheating because it is easy to
cheat on this type of exam.
 DISADVANTAGES
Students can guess in this type of exam.

Producing this type of exam is expensive

Since there are many choices, eliminating other

possible answers is harder compared to the
multiple type of exam.
 When to use matching type?
They are effective when you need to measure
the learner’s ability to identify the relationship
or association between similar items. They work
best when the course content has many parallel
concepts.

• Terms and Definitions • Objects or Pictures and Labels

• Symbols and Proper Names • Causes and Effects
• Scenarios and Responses • Principles and Scenarios to
which they apply
GUIDELINES

• Give clear directions or

instructions
• The premises column must be in
the left while the responses
column is in the right.
• Write the item as clearly as
possible
GUIDELINES
Be sure that the materials are
homogenous.
EXAMPLE: Match the items in column A with the
items column B
__1. First President of the Republic A. Magellan
__ 2. National Hero B. Rizal
__ 3. Discovered the Philippines C. Aguinaldo
__ 4. Brain of Katipunan
GUIDELINES
• Use an imperfect match as much as
possible.
• Place all of the items for one matching
exercises on the same page.
• Order of correct answer are randomly
arranged
• Arrange items in response column in
either logical or natural order
alphabetically if there is no apparent
organizational basis.
GUIDELINES
• Be careful about what material is
put in the question column and what
is put into the option column.

• Statements borrowed from the

textbook or other references must be
avoided.
GUIDELINES

• There should be NO keywords

appearing in both a premise and
response providing a clue to the
correct answer.

• Prepare a scoring key or guide.

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