Building a Taxonomy for Constructed-Response Test Items

This article presents a beginning effort to build a taxonomy for constructed-response test items. The taxonomy defines the categories for various item formats in three distinct dimensions: (a) type of reasoning competency employed, (b) nature of cognitive continuum employed, and (c) kind of response yielded. Each dimension is described, and the reasons for incorporating it into the taxonomy are explained. A theoretical rationale for the taxonomy is developed, and advantages and shortcomings of its use are noted.