Constructed Response

To create a short answer or essay constructed response question, begin by creating a new assessment in Aware or navigating to an existing one.

Note: An assessment with a constructed response question will remain print and online friendly with multiple choice, multiple selection, numerical response, and resource items. Assessments with interactive response items may be printed as test booklets only. 

Creating a Constructed Response Question

Quick Guide

1. Select Constructed Response from the item type options to open the question creation window.
2. Select Primary Standard and Secondary Standard to add up to two learning standards.
3. Set Complexity/Depth of Knowledge.
4. Assign Item Weight.
5. Set the scoring range using Min Score and Max Score.
6. Check or uncheck the Teacher Graded checkbox depending on how the teacher would prefer to score constructed response questions.
7. Set the number of Response Rows and the Text Width if you did not check the Teacher Graded box.
8. Check the box for Add Lines to provide lines for students to respond on for the printed answer sheet.
9. Set the Response Limit Type.
10. Write and format the constructed response question in the text box labeled Enter Question Text.
11. Enter the scoring rubric into the text box labeled Enter Scoring Guide.
12. Click Create when finished.

Illustrated Guide

Step 1: Select Constructed Response from the item type options to open the question creation window.

Step 2: Select Primary Standard and Secondary Standard to add up to two learning standards.

Step 3: Set Complexity/Depth of Knowledge by choosing from the following options:

• (Not Set)
• Not Applicable
• DOK1
• DOK2
• DOK3

Step 4: Assign Item Weight.

Step 5: Set the scoring range using Min Score and Max Score.

Step 6: Check or uncheck the Teacher Graded checkbox depending on how the teacher would prefer to score constructed response questions.

When the box is checked, it will show a score range of 0-9 on the answer document. The student will have to write their answer on a separate paper. The teacher will then bubble in the appropriate score on the answer document.

When the box is unchecked, the teacher will have the ability to select the needed amount of response rows and text width. The student will have space to write their constructed response answers on the answer document. After testing, the teacher will have to enter the scores in Test Available within Enter Answers.  

Step 7: Set the number of Response Rows and the Text Width if you did not check the Teacher Graded box. Response Rows default to 5 and provide a designated space for students to respond during online testing and on printed answer documents.

Text Width can be set as the following options:

• (Not Set)
• 25%
• 50%
• 75%
• 100%

This setting establishes the typing space online and the writing area on the printed answer document.

You can also check the box for Add Lines, which will provide lines for students to respond on for the printed answer sheet. The Add Lines setting does not impact the online testing experience.

Step 8: Set the Response Limit Type as any of the following options:

• No Limit
• Word
• Character

If you selected either of the latter two options, then set up either the Word Limit or Character Limit. Spaces won’t count against the character limit.

Step 9: Write and format the constructed response question as desired. Type your question into the text box labeled Enter Question Text. The system adds the question number once the test author adds the question to the test. There is no need to add an item number to the question text box. 

Click the right lower corner of the text box and drag to increase or decrease the text box size.

Step 10: Enter the scoring rubric into the text box labeled Enter Scoring Guide. You can type your scoring guidelines, use a previously created scoring rubric by copying and pasting the rubric into this field, or take a screenshot of the rubric and add the image to this field. The rubric is a scoring guide and is not interactive at this time.

When finished, click Create.

Student Experience

Students will see the constructed response question during testing. They can use the rich text editor to format their response in the text box, which includes the ability to insert special characters.

Data Analysis

Question Type is available as a column for data views, located in the Responses folder.

This column will show the question type and its associated question number.

Teachers may view the exact question in the Enter Answers screen and modify student answers if needed.

Note: For district and campus level tests, set the Questions teachers can answer and score option to All Questions for editing privileges.