Matching questions can be challenging to properly construct. A complete matching question has a column of choices, and a column of items that have stated relationship to the choices. The matching question requires explicit directions and careful consideration of the items and choices.
Guidelines for Writing Effective Matching Questions
•Provide directions for answering the question.
oDirections should include a definition of each column, the basis for the match, how often choices may be used and how many answers are possible for the givens.
•Make all entries clear and concise.
•Ensure both columns are labeled with a name representing the contents.
•Provide extra entries in the choice column unless choices can be used more than once.
oIf both columns are of equal length without repeated use of entries, students may be able match some entries by the process of elimination.
•Ensure entries are homogeneous within each column.
