Read it as a student
Read the instructions without relying on what you already know about the task. Look for unclear verbs, missing information or a response length that has not been explained.
Try answering the question. If two reasonable readers could interpret it differently, decide whether that ambiguity is intentional.
Check the answer and criteria
For an objective item, verify the answer and look for plausible alternatives. For a written response, identify what demonstrates understanding and where more than one answer may be reasonable.
If AI helped draft the material, verify facts, calculations and references rather than relying on confident wording.
A review checklist
- The task serves a clear learning goal.
- The wording and supplied information make the task answerable.
- The expected answer is correct and matches the final wording.
- The criteria recognise appropriate alternative responses.
- Language and presentation suit the intended students.
- The feedback or next step will be useful to the learner.
Make changes traceable
Keep the question and its answer notes together. Record the significant change when a colleague adapts the task, especially if the response format or expected reasoning changes.
A short discussion of a sample response can clarify judgement before a full class set is marked. The purpose of the checklist is to support professional decisions, not replace them.
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.