True/False questions

True-false questions are typically used to measure the ability to identify whether statements of fact are correct. The questions are usually a declarative statement that the student must judge as true or false.

Strengths:

• Can cover a lot of content in a short time (about two questions per minute of testing time)
• The question is useful when there are only two possible alternatives.
• Less demand is placed on reading ability than in multiple-choice questions.
• Can measure complex outcomes when used with interpretive exercises.
• Scoring is easy and reliable.

Limitations:

• Difficult to write questions beyond the knowledge level that are free from ambiguity.
• False statements provide no evidence that the student knows the correct answer.
• Scores are more influenced by guessing than with any other question type.
• Cannot discriminate between students of varying ability as well as other questions.
• Requires that the answer to the question is absolutely true or false.

Common formats for true-false questions

Tips for writing true/false questions:

• Construct statements that are definitely true or definitely false, without additional qualifications.
• Use relatively short statements.
• Eliminate extraneous material.
• Keep true and false statements approximately the same length.
• Include an equal number of true and false questions.
• Test only one idea in each question.
• Have students circle T or F for each question rather than write the letter which can lead to debate.
• Avoid verbal clues, specific determiners (e.g., the, a, an), and complex sentences.
• Avoid absolute terms such as, never or always.
• Do not arrange answers in a pattern (i.e., TTFFTTFF, TFTFTF).
• Avoid taking statements directly from text.
• Always state the question positively.