Sample Table of Specifications for Multiple Choice Exams in Medical School

Sample Table of Specifications for Multiple Choice Exams in Medical School

To prepare a multiple choice exam or test you have to know the percentages of the topics depending on their importance to the subject and the hours spent in their discussion.

Let’s say you are preparing an exam for the prelim period, for your subject in Human Physiology in medical school; here are steps you can adapt.

1.       Assign the percentage per topic based on the course requirement:

Intro to human physiology – 10%

The human body- 15%

The muscular system -25%

The skeletal system -25%

The cardiovascular system -25%

TOTAL = 100%

N.B. You can adjust the percentages according to your syllabus or academic requirements.

2.       Decide on how many items the test should be. Let’s say you have decided that the items for your Prelim exam are 150. The time allotted should at least be 2 hours for this exam, if 1 minute per question and 3 minutes per problem is assigned.

3.       Present your data in a table of specifications for clarity.

TOPIC	NO. OF ITEMS	PERCENTAGE
Intro to Physiology		10
The Human Body		15
The Muscular System		25
The Skeletal System		25
The Cardiovascular system		25
TOTAL		100%

4.       Solve for the number of items of each topic by multiplying the percentage-decimal equivalent with the total number of items.

Intro to Physiology = 0.10 (10%) X 150 = 15 items

The Human Body = 0.15 (15%) X 150 = 22.50 items

The Muscular System = 0.25 (25%) X 150 = 37.50 items

The Skeletal System = 0.25 (25%) X 150 =37.50 items

The Cardiovascular System = 0.25 (25%) X 150 = 37.50 items

For a total of 150 items. Since there are no 0.5 questions, you may decide to which topic you would assign the 1 item excess.

Let’s say you have the final items assigned:

Intro to Physiology = 0.10 X 150 = 15 items

The Human Body = 0.15 X 150 = 23 items

The Muscular System = 0.25 X 150 = 37 items

The Skeletal System = 0.25 X 150 =37 items

The Cardiovascular System = 0.25 X 150 = 38 items

You come up with this table

TOPIC	NO. OF ITEMS	PERCENTAGE
Intro to Physiology	15	10
The Human Body	23	15
The Muscular System	37	25
The Skeletal System	37	25
The Cardiovascular system	38	25
TOTAL	150	100%

5.       This is the simplest form of preparing for a table of specifications. You may want to be more specific and prepare a more detailed table assigning easy, average and difficult questions. The average questions should at least be 80% of your exams, while the easy at least 20% and the difficult, at least 15 %. This is recommended but the final decision still relies on the subject per se, and the learning ability of your students.

TOPIC	Easy qsns.	Average qsns.	Difficult qsns.	NO. OF ITEMS	PERCENTAGE
Intro to Physiology	3	10	2	15	10
The Human Body	4	16	3	23	15
The Muscular System	5	28	4	37	25
The Skeletal System	5	28	4	37	25
The Cardiovascular system	5	28	4	38	25
TOTAL	22	111	17	150	100%

6.       You should be able to determine which questions are easy, average and difficult based on an item analysis that you have done in previous exams. This is an analysis of what questions were answered easily and correctly and which ones were difficult for the students. There are available software for item analysis that maybe available from your school or you could prepare one yourself through the semesters that you teach the subject.

Preparing a Table of Specifications is an efficient and smart way to prepare your exams.

 
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Table of Specifications: Sample Topics for Exams

 

Sample Table of Specifications

Clinical Chemistry 1 subject – Prelim Exams

Topic	Identification	Multiple Choice	Problem Solving	Number of Items	Percentage
Intro to Clinical Chemistry	2	10	0	12	10
Laboratory Mathematics	2	14	20	36	30
Carbohydrates	3	33	0	36	30
Lipids	3	33	0	36	30
Total No. of Items	10	90	20	120	100%

DECIDE THE NUMBER OF ITEMS FOR YOUR EXAM, BASED ON THE HOURS AVAILABLE.

1.       You assign the percentage according to the importance of the topic to your subject, or you can also refer to the required weight of the topic by your school or accrediting institution.

2.      

           Decide on the total number of items for the exam depending on the number of hours assigned.

3.     

            At least 1 minute is given for easy questions and 3-5 minutes for difficult questions. In case analyses, you may want to increase the time.

4.    

             Based on your total items, you now get the number of items for each topic simply by multiplying the total score with the percentage. Below is the computation for this Table of Specifications.

How to solve the number of items for your Table of Specifications.

Introduction to clinical chemistry = 120 X 0.10 (10%) = 12 items

Laboratory Mathematics = 120 X 0.30 = 36 items

Carbohydrates = 120 X 0.30 = 36 items

Lipids = 120 X 0.30 =36 items

Total number of items = 120

Assign now the specific type of test for the items. As the instructor, you would know what type of test could effectively test the knowledge of your students with the different topics. Your Table of Specifications should reflect which topics are vital to your course.

1.      

      In this example, the Introduction to Clinical Chemistry would not use problem solving but only multiple choice and identification. You can compose 10 items for multiple choice and 2 items for identification.

2.      

            Do the same with the rest of the topics.

3.    

           Make sure your table totals correctly in the vertical and horizontal columns and rows.

4.       The percentage value is not always the same as the number of items. They are only the same when you have a 100-item exam.

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College: How to Study Effectively

College life is a new phase of education that takes on a more serious focus than high school. It is a relief to know though that college is not as intimidating as others would like you to believe. It only entails more didactic responsibilities and a more mature behavior in dealing with challenges. An effective study habit is one way of being able to cope up with college life. You should be able to manage your time well and meet the academic demands of your subjects. The following are effective study habits that you could utilize in college:

1. Prepare a study schedule.

Prepare a daily study schedule and stick to it. Assign more time to subjects you find difficult. Designate a time for working on assignments and of course some minutes for relaxation too. There should always be a time for everything.

2. Listen intently during lecture hours.

Much is learned when you listen attentively to the professor during actual lectures. Professors usually stress points they consider significant. Watch out for topics which are not found in your textbooks. Note this down as it is considered additional information and may be given as a part of the exam. This will also signify to the teacher those who are listening well to him.

3. Take down notes during lectures.

Take down notes and underline topics that your professor stressed during the lectures. You could re-write them later, after class hours, to learn more. Re-writing them would allow you also a better understanding of the topic. Be organized and neat in your note-taking. This would help you a lot when you review them.

4. Study daily.

Cramming will eventually lead you to nowhere. It lessens retention and therefore true learning does not take place. Reading your notes and studying them daily will definitely benefit you. Do not just memorize. Understand the concept of what you're reading. Analyze it carefully for longer retention.

5. Do additional research.

Good and responsible students do research even if not asked to. Read books. Research will help you understand the lesson more and would demonstrate to your professor your willingness to learn. Go to the library and read. Learning means also being updated with the latest information on your topic.
The internet is a good source at times, but you should rely only on sites which have been validated and proven to be legitimate. There are many misinformation obtained online through spurious sites.

6. Adapt an organized system of study.

You can employ the following: Read, write and summarize. Your first procedure is to read all of the topics. Then you write down what you remember from your reading. This is the longest
process as you have to re-read the sub topics until you are able to write, without reading from the text. After you are able to do this with all of the sub-topics, then summarize the whole topic, without referring to your book.

At first, you'll find this tedious, but as you get use to it, you'll find it easier and very convenient.
Associate your lessons with their practical applications. If you're studying chemistry associate sodium chloride with table salt. Lime water with coke or sprite, etc.

Make use of acronyms for memorization. Get the first letters of the items and form a word. Let's say the functions of the liver are: Metabolism, Detoxification, Synthesis, and Esterification.
You could form the acronym MEDS. M- Metabolism, E esterification, D detoxification, and S synthesis.
It is easier to remember things when you associate them with familiar things around you.
You could devise various systems that you find comfortable with. Be innovative.

7. Sleep early and wake up early.

Based on several researches, it is healthy to practice this. As the slogan goes: "Early to bed and early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise." When the body is well rested, the mind could function more efficiently.
You should develop study habits that do not compromise your health and a system that you could easily adapt to. You could have fun while studying. Implement an effective study habit and do well in college.

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Friendly dilemmas and cushions.

By: AJCHTAR
A Teen Writer
                             

              Even if you pour your heart out to other people, they can still mistake it for something else, people do not think the same way, it's unfortunate that other people tend to look at things in a bad perspective, it's demeaning to know that you've given all you could only to look like a worthless fool in the end, to choose and to trust goes together, it doesn't mean that all because you want to be kind, you'd let others take you for granted. Being prudent is essential, not only with making friends but with keeping them friends, it's alright to trust your friends, there is nothing wrong with that, for as long as you know them long enough. Sometimes, you even know them for years and they still come up with the guts to stab you when you're not looking or ready.

                                           Frustration is a part of life, you may feel down every now and then but never let that get y\to you, always remember that you may be unlucky with some people but you'll always have real friends and if you do not have that, you'd still have a family and in the event that you're not in good terms with them, always keep in mind, that your maker will never turn his back on you, even when the whole world does so. Value your friendship, but not to the point of becoming a foolish martyr for the sake of socialization, never give in to peer pressure, it's the downfall of many.

                                            To forgive is the first step after every conflict, but what happens when the others are unwilling to do the same? Separation may not be a good option but staying for the misery and little hope you have left doesn't seem any better, be patient, it doesn't mean that all because you were too unfortunate to be accepted by a group of people, it doesn't mean that the rest will do the same, people have different views about each other, some may see you as a bad person, the next group might just see you as a treasure, for as long as you make sure that you never do anything that would make them think otherwise.

                                             Isolation is difficult, to have problems and not have anyone to tell, it's the tears that fail to come out that usually hurt you, crying is not a display of weakness, in fact it's a display of humanity and emotional stability, it's usually pride that causes a good friendship to deteriorate, it also causes families to crumble, if one side is willing to accept the mistake and take the fault while the other is willing to reconcile and mend bridges, there wouldn't be so many problems these days, anger leads to more anger if the other side finds themselves mad then it begins a cycle of conflict that rarely ends well.
                                            
                                             Stay away from people who have many Vices, sooner or later they may impose pressure on you or tell you that you're not a part of the group if you do not join them, many children give in to this kind of pressure and not everyone will do the right thing and leave, fearing the state of loneliness that haunts outcasts and alike. Being aware of your faults is also important, remember, you can't always be right, be ready to apologize when needed, it isn't so hard to say you're sorry, it's difficult to mend a bridge when blown up by wrath.

                                            Many friends are lasting, they'll never betray you and will stick up for you even when they know you're wrong, but that doesn't mean they won't try telling you about your faults and mistakes, the best thing to do is to accept when they're right, it's tear jerking to know your friends have to leave and it would take time before you see each other again, but friendship involves such trials, it's always worth the wait, there are friendships you just can't let go of, no matter how complicated or hard your situation is, you'll know your real friends, they're the ones that still stay even when everyone else leaves you in a pit, they'd still be there to pull you out, there's no need for many friends, all you need is a few who will understand, bear with you and mean so much to you.

The RSS feed of this post is for non-commercial use only. This is not for blogs or websites that have ads and the like. If you're reading this post in another site, then please leave a note in my blog at http://jenaisle-candidthoughts.blogspot.com so I can take appropriate action. Thank you
.

How to Select a Reliable but Cheap Health Insurance

Health is wealth, and as such, you must take care of it primarily. It is in this context that you should ensure that the health insurance you plan to purchase is the right type for your specific needs. Whether you want family health insurance, low cost health insurance, private health insurance or some other type, you can only select correctly if you have reliable and proper information about each type. To help you decide on the proper choice for your private health insurance, here are some pointers that you may want to adapt:

Choose a health insurance that is reliable

Select an insurance that you could genuinely depend on. An insurance plan is reliable when it could respond to your particular need at the specific time that you need it - not later or earlier. It should also be able to provide sufficiently for your needs. You may also want to look into the record of achievement of the company and the comments of consumers.

Start by perusing affordable health insurance quotes

It is not always true that expensive services are the best. If you are patient and determined, then you can discover reliable health insurance at affordable prices. You can shoot two birds with one stone, if you are a smart customer.

Ask the opinion of experts

The most trusted website online can provide you with the most reliable and Cheap health insurance . You can possibly choose its expert services and the competent staff could help you understand, analyze and compare the different health insurance services and select the best from among the lot.  In addition, you save time by enlisting their services because they know exactly what to do and how to help you select the best.

These are some of the pointers that you can follow if you want to select the best health insurance. Remember that it is an essential need that you have to obtain to ensure your safety in the future.

Look Elegant and Professional in Your Scrubs

I previously worked in a hospital and we had scrub suits that were clean and professional looking. They lack elegance and class. They were just plain and drab not worthy for exposure outside the efficient and well organized hospital setting. Nowadays however, hospital scrubs are not only professionally looking but are also stylish and elegant. You could proudly walk outside in your scrub suit.

Men would look dashing in their own scrubs, while scrubs for women provide more options in terms of design, color and fashion sense. The green scrubs, coupled with fashionable hats are simply superb; they will bring out the best in you.  There are other colors like all shades of blue and white.  The fabric is made of high quality clothing materials that are durable and long lasting.

Wearing a suit at work should not only make you feel comfortable but should also make you look good as well. Purchasing this type of designer scrubs which are durable, classy and comfortable is a wise decision. You can purchase online and take advantage of a free shipping for orders $155 and above.