Adding Multiple Items, Building Test Forms and Inserting Instructions

Adding Multiple Items at Once

Whether browsing through your bank structure or perusing a list that has been generated by a search, you can add multiple items at once.

• For example, suppose you search for Algebra items with an IRT a parameter of 0.8 to 1.0, and 10 items were returned.
• Using the CTRL key, you can highlight any number of items in the list, then click Add to Test only once.
  • The SHIFT key acts as in Microsoft Windows, selecting all objects in a list between the two points specified.
• Items added this way will be added in the same order that they are selected.
• Items added to a test by adding an entire bank or category will be added in alphabetical order by item name.

Building Random Test Forms

For item lists either from browsing or searching, you can also randomly select any number of items.

• Right-click on the list and choose Select Random. You will then be asked to specify how many items to select.
• This process will highlight as many items in the current list as you specified.
• If you like the selection, you can click Add to Test.

This approach can be used to build entire forms randomly, or used in combination with the search criteria for stratified sampling. To build an entire form randomly, make sure the list has all items you wish to consider available.

• For example, if you want to build an Algebra test, you might drag the Algebra folder to the list window, so that all Algebra items are displayed.
• If you want a test of 50 items, then choose Select Random → 50 items.
  • Note that the items will only be selected from the current page of items. You may have to increase the maximum number of rows per page via the dropdown menu above the item list.

To use stratified sampling to meet strict requirements, utilize the Search feature to narrow down the list first.

• Again, suppose you search for Algebra items with an IRT a parameter of 0.8 to 1.0, and 10 items were returned.
• You could then randomly add 5 of those items to your test.
• You then move on to Geometry items that meet the IRT requirement, and select 8 items there if that is what you need.
• The Search function serves to narrow down the items in the bank that meet given specifications from your test blueprints.

Inserting Instructions Into Your Test

FastTest inserts instructions into the test as items.

• Simply create an “item” and write your instructions as its text, then change the item type to Instructional.
• Instructional items can be entered into the test like any other “item” and moved to whatever location in the test you desire.
• You can also have as many instructional items in your tests as you like.
• For paper-based testing, if you want to start a new page before an instructional “item,” simply insert a page break at the appropriate location when viewing your test.

Also for paper-based testing, this approach can be applied to “testlets,” or test items that consist of a passage of information, followed by a number of questions about that passage, such as reading comprehension items.

For this type of item, create a separate (instructional) item for the passage and separate items for each question to be asked about the passage.

• It is recommended to store all of these items in a subsection of a bank so they can all be selected at once for inclusion in the test.