Writing Well-Constructed Short Answer Questions

Characteristics of a Well-Constructed Short Answer Question

• A well-constructed short answer question should be concise, clear, and focused on a specific learning objective
• It should require the test-taker to provide a brief response that demonstrates their knowledge, understanding, or application of the learning objective
• The question should be free of ambiguity, with a clear and specific task that is easily understood by the test-taker

When to Use Negatively Stated Stems

• A negatively stated stem should be used when the test-taker is being asked to identify an exception or an incorrect statement
• This type of question stem can be effective in assessing critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze information

Formatting Tips for Writing Short Answer Questions

• Use a clear and concise stem that gets straight to the point
• Keep the stem brief and focused on the specific learning objective being assessed
• Use simple and unambiguous language that is easy for the test-taker to understand
• Avoid using complex or ambiguous language that may confuse the test-taker

Learn about the key characteristics and formatting tips for writing well-constructed short answer questions. Understand when the stem of a short answer question should be negatively stated and improve your question-writing skills.