Name the learning goal
Write one sentence describing what the student needs to demonstrate. Decide whether you need a selected answer, a calculation, an explanation, an argument or a performance.
Use that decision to choose the format. An attractive interaction is not automatically a good match for the learning being assessed.
Review the complete task
- Can a student tell what they are being asked to do?
- Is all necessary information available?
- Does the format allow the intended reasoning to be shown?
- Are expected answers and criteria clear?
- Could the wording or response method create an unrelated barrier?
Try a small adaptation
Take a sample and change one element: the context, amount of support, response length or information supplied. Then check the answer notes again. A changed question may need a changed marking guide.
For example, replacing a selected answer with “explain your choice” changes the evidence you can collect and the time needed to review it.
Keep a useful record
Save the task, the expected response and a short note explaining why the format suits the goal. This helps colleagues understand the decision when the resource is reused.
The public question library contains curated examples that you can edit and download. It does not establish curriculum coverage or the availability of every assessment format.
Further reading
These sources offer further context. Links do not imply endorsement of GoHiMark.
Explore the question examples or estimate a task with the marking workload planner.