School Improvement in Maryland
Government-Assessment
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Item Terminology
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Government H.S.A.

Clang — cues or inferences within an item or with other items

Distracters — incorrect answer options

Options — all answer choices for Selected Response items

Stem — where the question or problem is stated

Stimulus — a reading or graphic that precedes an item

Selected Response — Multiple — choice items with one correct answer and three distracters

Constructed Response — items requiring students to compose written answers, either BCRs or ECRs