At our numerous scoring centers, Measured Progress readers annually score millions of responses to constructed-response questions and writing samples. They receive item-specific training, including detailed scoring guides and training materials taken from actual student work. Scoring operations result in electronic files of student scores that are merged with other student data.

Responses to constructed-response questions are scored using our image-based workflow system, which utilizes digitized images of scanned student responses that are randomly distributed to reader workstations.

Staff members of the Measured Progress Scoring Center are knowledgeable in a wide range of scoring approaches and content areas. In doing so, we gain valuable insights into student performance on each type of question. Here are a few of those insights to pass along to your students.

1. Carefully read each item.

Many students don’t answer the question that is asked. It is clear they either didn’t read the question carefully, misread it, or misunderstood it. Before testing, remind students to put their pencils down while reading the item to avoid the temptation to start writing immediately and to give themselves time to think about everything the question is asking. It’s also a good idea for students to write notes or create a brief outline of the response before actually starting to respond. By taking a few minutes to think before they write, students are more likely to answer the question with the most successful, appropriate responses.

2. Note the number of parts in a question, and be sure to answer all of them.

Often students will provide wonderful answers to the first part of a two-part question but then fail to respond to the second part. This could be because they get so caught up in writing a good response to the first part of the question, they forget the second part. In such cases, the best they are likely to score is half of the maximum score, e.g., two points for a four-point question. One tip is to suggest students mark sections for parts a and b in the answer space before beginning to answer, to remind themselves that there are two parts. They can always adjust the spacing of the sections after they start writing.

3. Always respond to every item.

Sometimes students are stumped by an item and don’t write anything. However, the scoring guides often award points for partial or incomplete answers. Beginning to write something related to the question might jog the students’ memories, or at least provide enough information to qualify for one or more points. That point, added to the total score, might make the difference between students achieving a low or high performance level.