Item format

Back

In both the advanced mathematics and physics assessments, items vary in terms of item format (see the table below) and item difficulty. TIMSS Advanced items are almost evenly split between multiple-choice and constructed-response item formats.

Table D. Percentage of TIMSS Advanced score points, by subject area and item format: 2015

Item format	Advanced mathematics	Physics
Multiple choice	50	52
Constructed response	50	48
NOTE: The percentages in this table are based on the number of score points, not the number of items. The number of score points and the number of items are not the same because some constructed-response items are worth more than one score point. (For the corresponding percentages based on the number of items, see the Methodology and Technical Notes. Multiple-choice items require students to select the single correct response from four response options. Constructed-response items require students to generate a written response. SOURCE: Martin, M.O., Mullis, I.V.S., and Hooper, M. (Eds.). (2016). Methods and Procedures in TIMSS Advanced 2015. Chestnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Boston College.

Back