What are Objective and Subjective Tests?

test or examination is an assessment intended to measure a test-taker’s knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, or classification in many other topics.

test may be administered orally, on paper, on a computer, or in a confined area that requires a test taker to physically perform a set of skills.

Almost everybody has experienced testing during his or her life. Grammar tests, driving license test etc.


Type of Tests

Understanding the different types of testing, the kinds of results they provide, and how they complement one another help teachers determine what the best course of action is.

There are two general types of tests:

  • Objective tests aim to assess a specific part of the learner’s knowledge using questions which have a single correct answer.
  • Subjective tests aim to assess areas of students’ performance that are complex and qualitative, using questioning which may have more than one correct answer or more ways to express it

Objective and Subjective Tests: Characteristics

These are some characteristics of objective and subjective tests:

Objective Tests characteristics:

  • They are so definite and so clear that a single, definite answer is expected.
  • They ensure perfect objectivity in scoring.
  • It can be scored objectively and easily.
  • It takes less time to answer than an essay test

Subjective Tests Characteristics

  • Subjective items are generally easier and less time consuming to construct than are most objective test items
  • Different readers can rate identical responses differently, the same reader can rate the same paper differently over time

What Effects Do Tests have on the Teaching and Learning Process?

The “washback or backwash effect is the effect that testing has on the teaching and learning processes.

The effect can be positive or negative.

The validity of the testing process can influence the content of our courses, and the way we teach, in a direction that is either with or against the better judgment of the administrators, teachers, students, and parents.

From the point of view of testing, the washback effect becomes negative when there is a mismatch between what we the material / abilities we teach, and what is tested.

For example, an achievement test that is only multiple choice has a negative washback effect on any attempt to teach productive skills such as speaking and writing in class.

On the other hand, if the achievement test includes both spoken and written parts, the washback effect has a positive influence on students (and teachers) attitudes to practicing productive skills in the classroom.

Type of Objective Questions

These are some types of objective question that you can find in tests

  1. Multiple- Choice Items
  2. True- False Items
  3. Matching Items
  4. Assertion-Reason Items

Type of Subjective Questions

Subjective questions are questions that require answers in the form of explanations.

Subjective questions include:

  1. Essay questions
  2. Short answers
  3. Definitions
  4. Scenario Questions
  5. Opinion Questions.

English Teaching Related Posts

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Manuel Campos, English Professor

Manuel Campos

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English