Essay type tests

Concept of essay test

The word essay has been derived from a French word ‘essayer’ which means

‘to try’ or ‘to attempt’.

Definition:

“Essay test is a test that requires the student to structure a rather long written

response up to several paragraphs.”

                                                                    -William weirsama

 Characteristics of essay test:

      The length of the required responses varies with reference to marks and time

       For e.g.: B.Ed. papers where there are 10marks, 5marks and 3 marks questions so the length of the answers varies accordingly. For 10marks, it needs to be completed within 15-20min for each 3marks; 5min is maximum so accordingly the length of answers varies with reference to time.

       It demands a subjective judgment:

      Judgment means making judgment or assessing whereas subjective means not fair enough i.e. it differs from person to person

      For e.g. criteria of writing the statement of specification.

•          In that, we are supposed to give each criterion along with the examples.

•          Some may write only criteria and others may write criteria along with the examples, accordingly the marks or grades are given depending on the degree of quality, correctness and completeness of the answers.

     Most familiar and widely used:

      Essay has become a major part of a formal education. Secondary students are taught structured essays format to improve their writing skills.

•          Magazines or newspapers essays use many of the same type of essays as like academic essays.

•          Even employment essays detailing our experience in a certain occupational fields are required when applying for some jobs, especially government jobs.

•         So it is most familiar and most widely used.