How to Write a Home Economics Test

Home economics, also known as family science or human ecology, is the study of the science of running a home or other domestic space. Courses in this area can cover a wide variety of subjects, so teachers must be careful and deliberate when writing a home economics test.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Define the scope of the test. If you're giving the test in the middle of the grading period, be sure that you're only testing material covered up to that point. If you're writing a final exam, you can choose to test on the most recent material or on everything you've taught over the semester or year. In this case, be sure to announce to your students whether or not the test will be cumulative.
2. Decide what form the test should take. Multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank questions are appropriate for lower-grades, but high school and college students should be challenged with short answer and essay prompts that enable them to express full knowledge of the subject area.
3. Take the exam yourself. Time yourself. You'll surely finish the exam more quickly than your students, so multiply your own time by one and a half to two to estimate the students' likely time. Make sure that most students will be able to complete the exam in the time you've allotted.
4. Revise the exam. Based on your own experience of taking the exam, make any necessary changes. Clarify any potentially confusing questions, answers and prompts.
5. Make an answer key. This is simple if your test is multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank, since there will only be one possible answer. If your test is short-answer or essay, make notes of any facts or arguments that must be included for the answer to receive full credit.