ABSTRACT
The constructed-response or open-ended item is most commonly known as the essay test but consists of any item format type where the examinee must construct a response rather than select one as in the multiple-choice format. Constructed-response items require students to apply knowledge, skills, and analytic thinking to authentic performance tasks. The constructed-response formant then is intended to require students to apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge, reasoning, and skills. The greatest problems in constructed-response testing are the time and expense involved in scoring. Important skills such as critical thinking and problem solving are better assessed with constructed-response item formats, such as essays, than they are with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and other selection items. The total amount of effort in the use of either MCQs or essay test use is, in part, a function of the number of students to be tested.
