Writing MC Questions at the High School Level

Targeting both KCCT and ACT KASC Conference 9/29/ 2008

Taylora Schlosser

Know the CATS TestContent Timing Scoring

Mathematics *N, A, P, D

Science *N, A, P, D

Social Studies *N, A, P, D

Arts & Humanities *N, A, P, D

Reading *N, A, P, D

Practical Living/Vocational Studies *N, A, P, D

*N=NoviceA=ApprenticeP=ProficientD= Distinguished

Know the ACTSections Timing Scoring

English 45 min. 1-36

Math 60 min. 1-36

Reading 35 min. 1-36

Science Reasoning 35 min. 1-36

Total 3 hrs. 1-36

http://www.act.org/path/secondary/testprep.html

What’s on the tests?CATS

• Each of the six/seven content tests is based on the Kentucky Core Content 4.1

• Each of the six/seven content tests includes several sub domains

• Levels of content DOK 1, 2, 3, & 4 (see KYCC4.1)

ACT• Each of the four/five

content tests is based on ACT College Readiness Standards (see handout)

• Each of the four/five tests includes several content areas

• Levels of content from 1-36

CATS Assessment Questions

• Multiple Choice Questions that are written at DOK 1, 2, & 3

• See KASC Handout –Use this handout when writing both CATS Q/ACT Q. (ACT Questions are written using the same verbs as DOK 1, 2, 3)

• Open Response Questions (not on ACT)

For CATS we have the Core Content and Program of Studies. Now lets look at the ACT….what are the big ticket items on each

section? What is assessed in each content area?

ACT

1. Conventions of EnglishGrammarUsageMechanics 2. Style

BrevityWord choiceRelevance

3. OrganizationSentence ChoiceSentence OrderParagraph Order

What is on the English test?

Spelling

Quotation Marks

Diagramming

Reading Comprehension

Grammar Terms

Vocabulary

Writing

What is not on the English test?

SAMPLE ENGLISH QUESTIONSSee handout

The 4 Types of Reading Passages• Prose Fiction Passage A short story or an excerpt from a novel or short story• Social Science Passage An essay (or excerpt) about anthropology, archeology, business, psychology, law, education, economics, etc.

• Humanities Passage An essay (or excerpt) about architecture, art, dance, film, language, literary criticism, writing, music, philosophy, radio, television, theater, etc.

• Natural Science Passage An essay (or excerpt) about anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, geology, zoology, botany, ecology, etc.

SAMPLE ACT READING QUESTIONSSee handout

What is on the MATH?

• Variable Manipulation• Plane Geometry

• Proportions and Probability• Coordinate Geometry and More

1

1. Which of the following letters represents the vertex in the following picture?

A. D and E B. E and H C. F and G D. G only E. H only

What is the measure of the solid line angle depicted by the following figure?

A. 90 degrees B. 180 degrees C. 225 degrees D. 270 degrees E. 0 degrees

SAMPLE ACT MATH QUESTIONSSee handout

3 Types of Science PassagesOur program recommends that students attack the questions in the following order:

1. Data Representation (3 passages)Text without a heading followed by tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams.

2. Research Summary (3 passages)Text with headings about 2 or more experiments or studies relating to the Scientific Method.

3. Conflicting Viewpoint (1 passages)Passages with headings indicating two scientists or researchers (who disagree on a given topic.)

SAMPLE ACT SCIENCE QUESTIONSee handout

ACT CATS

Commonpoints

Things to remember when assessing.

Timed Test4 Content TestsCollege ReadyWritten Optional

Extended Time 7 Contents State Acct. Open Response Required

MCAll 11th Graders

Verbs

ACT vs CATS

Now What?

• http://www.testprepreview.com/• http://www.actstudent.org• http://www.number2.com/

Acknowledgements

• KASC Multiple Choice Materials• KAPLAN Materials (Sample Questions) and

other information from KAPLAN PowerPoint Slides