Create Multi-Part Items That Combine Item Types

The Multi-Part item template allows you to combine two to four item types into a single item. When creating a Multi-Part item, you can choose how it will be scored, how many parts it includes, and which item type is used for each part.

For example, a Multi-Part item with a Multiple Choice/Select part and an Edit Task part could ask students whether a statement is true or false, and then ask them to correct the part of the statement that is false.

If a Multi-Part item includes only two parts and both item types are machine-scored, then the Multi-Part item itself can be machine-scored. If a Multi-Part item includes more than two parts, or if any of the included item types are hand-scored, then the Multi-Part item must be scored by hand.

The templates for Multi-Part items require you to create a separate prompt and response area for each part of the item, but only one answer key is needed for the whole item. Some of the settings and fields that usually appear in the section for constructing answer keys will appear in the section for constructing response areas in Multi-Part item templates.

1.To create a Multi-Part item, first select the Multi-Part card on the item builder template list. A set of additional options appears.

2.In the Scoring Method section, select either Machine Scored or Hand Scored.

3.From the Number of Parts to Create dropdown, select how many parts the item will include. If the item is machine scored, you can include only two parts.

4.A dropdown appears for each part included in the item. Select which item types you want to combine from these dropdowns. If the item is machine-scored, you cannot select any hand-scored item types.

5.Select Create Multi-Part Item. The Multi-Part item template appears.

6.In the first Compose Item Prompt section, enter the question or directions for the first part of the item. You can use the toolbar in this box to format text and insert media elements.

7.In the section for creating the first response area, fill out all the provided fields. The actual steps involved depend on which item type you selected for the first part of the item. For more information, you can consult the instructions for that item type in the Fill Out Item Templates section of this guide.

8.If any answer key settings appear in this section (such as the Multiselect toggle in Multiple Choice/Select items), select the necessary settings for your item.

9.Repeat steps 6–8 for each additional item type included in the Multi-Part item.

10.In the Construct Answer Keys section, enter the highest possible score in the Maximum Score field.

11.To create answer keys for the item, do one of the following:

a.For machine-scored items: In the Point field, enter the score for a correct or partially correct response. In the provided response areas, enter the response that a student would need to enter in order to earn that score. Be sure to enter a response for both parts of the item.

b.For hand-scored items: In the Description field, describe how students must respond in order to earn full credit. In the Exemplar field, enter an example of a response that would earn full credit. The template automatically creates a rubric tab for each possible score a student could earn based on the maximum score. To fill out any additional rubrics, select the tab for that rubric and enter a description and exemplar for the rubric’s score.