TABLE
OF
SPECIFICATION
Learning
Objectives:
a. Understand the concept of table
of specification.
b. Construct a two-way table of
specifications
c. Reflect on the importance of
the TOS in test development
What is
TOS?
• Blue print for test
• Guide for writing items
• A plan prepared by a teacher as a
basis for test construction especially
a periodic test.
• Is a two-way chart which describes
the topics to be covered by a test and
the number of items or points which
will be associated with each topic.
Va r i o u s
proponents
h a v e o ff e r e d
d i ff e r e n t
Gregory (2006) Sees table of
specification as an activity which
enumerates the information and cognitive
tasks on which examinees are to be
assessed. It is clearly defined as possible
scope which laid emphasis of the test and
relates other objectives to the content in
order to ensure a balanced test items.
Gronlund and Linn (2000) assert that
table of specification may be referred to
as content of a course or curriculum
that can be broadly defined to include
both subject matter content and
instructional objectives. This simply
means the performance of students is
expected to demonstrate.
Mehrens and lehmann (1993) See
table of specification as a (blue print)
of a test, the content areas to be
covered
and the relative emphasis to be
placed on each areas and
instructional objectives.
Akem (2006) views the
table of specification as a
guide to assist a teacher
or examiner in the
evaluation system.
Okpala, Onocha and Oyedeji (2003)
noted that table of specification
enables the test developers to
complete
the cells in the table and decide the
percentage of the total number of
items that will go to each of the cell.
Ughamadu (2000) stated that a
table of specification or test blue
print is a device that enables the
teacher to
arrive at a representative sample of
the instructional objectives and the
subject matter treated in the class.
Akem (2006) views the
table of specification as a
guide to assist a teacher
or examiner in the
evaluation system.
Akem (2006) views the
table of specification as a
guide to assist a teacher
or examiner in the
evaluation system.
Purpose of
Ta b l e o f
S p e c i fi c a t i o
The purpose of a Ta b l e of
Specifications is to identify the
achievement domains being measured
and to ensure that
a fair and representative sample of
questions appear on the test.
Te a c h e r s c a n n o t m e a s u r e e v e r y t o p i c
or objective and cannot ask every
question they might wish to ask.
A Ta b l e o f S p e c i f i c a t i o n s a l l o w s t h e
teacher to construct a test which focuses
on the key areas and weights those
different areas based on their
i m p o r t a n c e . A Ta b l e o f S p e c i f i c a t i o n s
provides the teacher with evidence that
a test
h a s c o n t e n t v a l i d i t y, t h a t i t c o v e r s w h a t
should be covered.
Ta b l e s o f
S p e c i fi c a t i o n s a r e
designed based
on:
1.C o u r s e o b j e c t i v e s
2.t o p i c s c o v e r e d i n c l a s s
3.a m o u n t o f t i m e s p e n t o n t h o s e
topics
4.t e x t b o o k c h a p t e r t o p i c s
5.e m p h a s i s a n d s p a c e p r o v i d e d
in the text
A table of
s p e c i fi c a t i o n
could designed
in 3
1. Identify the domain that is to
be assessed.
2. Break the domain into
levels (e.g knowledge,
comprehension,
application, analysis,
synthesis and evaluation)
3. Construct the table
Steps in Making
Ta b l e o f
S p e c i fi c a t i o n
Ty p e s o f Ta b l e s o f
S p e c i fi c a t i o n
O n e - w ay : F o c u s e s o n a s i n g l e
dimension, such as content or
skills.
Tw o - w ay : M a p s c o n t e n t o r s k i l l s
against cognitive levels or
learning objectives.
Steps in Making
Ta b l e o f
S p e c i fi c a t i o n
one way tos
two way tos
1. L i s t d o w n t h e o b j e c t i v e s
to be assessed by the
test
2.S p e c i f y t h e n u m b e r o f
days/hours spent in
teaching a particular
topic.
3.Decide on the
specific level of
knowledge you want to
assess
4. Get the percentage of the
of the items.
no. of days
total number of days x100
5. Decide on the
total number of
items.
5. Get the no. of items per
objective.
total no. of items
percentage of the items x 100
5. Get the no. of items per level of
knowledge.
find first percentage of a number, convert
the percentage to a decimal (by dividing by
100) and then multiply the decimal by the
number.
7. Decide on
the item
placement.
Let’s practice
Construct a two way TOS.
1.C h o o s e a n y t o p i c .
2.m a k e 3 l e a r n i n g o b j e c t i v e s .
3.I t m u s t c o v e r t h e 6 l e v e l s o f
cognitive knowledge.
4.t h e t o t a l n u m b e r o f d a y s
spent is 12 days.
