by Matthew Tyler Funk

Created on: October 14, 2010

It is easiest to grade short answer tests using a points system, in which each question is worth an identical number of points.

The easiest way to grade a test in which the credit given for each answer is determined by a points system, is by first designing a grading rubric to be applied to each question in order to determine how many of the possible points should be awarded.

For example, if there were 25 questions on the test, each short answer question should be worth 4 points. There should be essentially a grading rubric in the teacher's head if not on paper, determining how the points are to be awarded. The way the points are awarded should obviously be designed to evaluate the specific skills being tested for.

For example, in a case of 25 short answer questions worth 4 points each, 2 points could be awarded for correctly and completely answering the question posed, or 1 point of the two could be awarded for an incomplete or only partially correct answer. An additional point could be awarded for answering the question in a complete sentence and the last point could be awarded for proper spelling and grammar.

This grading method makes it easy for the teacher to address each question with a brief checklist of concerns and to grade the question corresponding to how well the student's answer holds up against those concerns. The grading becomes more or less effortless, almost as easy as though a teacher were grading a multiple choice test. Each short answer question is to the grader like four distinct true or false questions.

This method of easy grading is easiest in cases where the teacher has an opportunity to design the test questions herself. This while designing the questions she can make sure that each question asks an equal amount of the students. Questions which roll more than one question into one create problems in the grading process, and aren't as fair to the students. It's better if separate questions can be asked separately. Compound questions can cause a little trouble, but not as much as fully separate questions asked under the same entry. In either case, there is usually a way to assign partial points if the answer is partially correct.

Some teachers find short answer tests very time consuming to grade, and other teachers whiz through short answers. Teachers who have trouble with these might be well advised to devise a concrete grading rubric to be applied to each question, which breaks the question into 4 or so equal parts to be graded. The teacher may keep this rubric out for reference as he or she is grading tests. It may also be beneficial to tally the number of points awarded to each question right on the test paper for the student to see as well. This allows the teacher quick and easy reference to the points awarded for each answer when it comes time to add up the student's score.

Generally with proper organization and a little time invested in establishing a fixed grading rubric to be applied to each short answer question in the same way, any teacher can drastically cut down on time spent grading short answer tests.

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