Essay tests allow for the assessment of higher-order thinking skills as they are classified as non-objective tests. In an essay test, students are requested to write one or more paragraphs on a specified topic to organize their thoughts and inform an audience. Stecklein identified 14 types of abilities that can be measured by essay items, including comparisons, development and defense of opinions, explanations, summaries, analysis, knowledge of relationships, and inferential thinking. When grading essay papers, rules of thumb include phrasing the directions to guide students on key concepts and informing students of the criteria that will be used, such as coherence, accuracy, use of keywords, and clarity.

1. ESSAY
TEST

2. ESSAY TEST
Classifiedas non-objective test, allowfor the
assessmentof higher order thinkingskills.
Such test require students to organize their
thoughts ona subjectmatter in coherent
sentences in order to inform an audience.

3. In essay test, students are requested to
write one ormore paragraphs on a
specifiedtopic.
Stecklein(1995) has listed 14 types of
abilities that can bemeasured by essay
items.

4. 1. Comparisonsbetween two or more things
2. The developmentand defense of an opinion
3. Questionsof Cause and Effect
4. Explanationsof meanings
5. Summarizingof informationin a designatedarea
6. Analysis

5. 7. Knowledge of relationships
8. Illustrationsofrules,principles,procedures,
and applications
9.Applicationsof rules, laws, and principles tonew
situations
10.Criticismsof the adequacy,relevance, or correctness
of a concept, idea, or information

6. 11. Formulation of new questions and problems
12.Reorganization offacts
13.Discriminations betweenobjects,concepts, or
events
14.Inferential thinking

7. Rules of thumb which facilitate
the grading of essay papers
Rule 1 : Phrase the direction in
such a way that students are
guided on the key concepts to be
included
EXAMPLE

8. PLANT PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Nature has its own way of ensuring the balance
between food producers and consumers. Plants
are considered producers of food for animals.
Plants produce food for animals through a process
called photosynthesis. It is a complex process that
combines various natural elements on earth into
the final product which animals can consume in
order to survive .Naturally, we all need to protect
plants so that we will continue to have food on our
table. We should discourage burning of grasses,
cutting of trees and illegal logging .If the leaves of
plants are destroyed, they cannot perform
photosynthesis and animals will also perish.

9. Rule 2
Inform the students on the
criteria to be used for
grading their essays.
EXAMPLE

10. Write an essay on the topic: “Plant
Photosynthesis” using the following
keywords and phrases: chlorophyll,
sunlight, water,carbondioxide,oxygen,
by-product, stomata

11.  Write an essay onthe topic:“Plant Photosynthesis” using the
keywords indicated. You will begradedaccordingto the following
criteria: (a)coherence,(b) accuracy(c) use of keywords, (d) clarity