Table of Specification (TOS)

A teachers blueprint in constructing a test for classroom

use

Arend, 2001 in Garcia, 2008

A plan prepared by a classroom teacher as a basis for the

test construction especially a summative or periodical test

Asaad, 2004

Importance of TOS
TOS must be carefully prepared
because it:
Contributes to the development
of the quality test

Importance of TOS
TOS must be carefully prepared
because it:
Can determine the degree of
content as well as skill mastery
can achieve a balanced test
representing varied skills

Importance of TOS
Provides an assurance that the test will
measure representative samples of
instructional objectives and the
contents included in the instruction
(knowledge, skills or attitude)
depends on the instructional objectives
and what has been stressed in class)

2 Ways to prepare the TOS

1. One-Way TOS
Only the contents are
listed down on the left
side of the table

Commonalities of the two:

Course Content
No. of class
sessions/hours
2. Two-Way TOS
Number of test items
Contents are listed down
Placement of an item
the left side and the
instructional objectives
are listed across the top
of the table

One-Way TOS -

Only the contents are listed

down on the left side of the
table

Contents/Topic
s Taught

No. of
Hours

No. of
Test
Items

Placement
of Test

Addition
Subtraction
Multiplication
Division
Total

4
4
4
4
16

25
25
25
25
100

13
13
13
11
50

1-13
13-26
27-39
40-50

Two-Way TOS Contents/Topics

Taught

Contents are listed down the left

side and the instructional objectives
are listed across the top of the table

No.
of
Hrs

No. of
Test
Items

Ap

An

Conversion of
Units

33

17

Speed and
Velocity

33

17

Acceleration

34

16

15

100

50

12

11

Total

K Knowledge C Comprehension
S Synthesis
E Evaluation

Ap Application

An Analysis

Two-Way TOS Contents/Topics

Taught

No.
of
Hrs

Contents are listed down the left

side and the instructional objectives
are listed across the top of the table
No. of
Test
Items

Total
R Receiving
R Responding

V Valuing
O - Organization

C- Characterization

Two-Way TOS Contents/Topic

s Taught

No.
of
Hrs

Contents are listed down the left

side and the instructional objectives
are listed across the top of the table
No. of
Test
Items

GR

COR

Total
P- Perception
S Set
GR Guided Response
M - Mechanism

COR Complex Overt Response

A Adaptation
O - Originality

K-12 Curriculum
Contents/Topics
Taught

No. of
Hrs

Two-Way TOS No. of Test

Items

Conversion of
Units
Speed and Velocity
Acceleration
Total
K Knowledge
U Understanding

P Process/Skills .. - DO_s2012_07
P Performance/Product

ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND SAMPLE ENHANCED QUESTIONS (Music)

COMPETENCY

LEVEL OF
ASSESSME
NT

ASSESSMENT
TOOL

SAMPLE ENHANCED
QUESTIONS

Knowled
ge

Paper and
pencil
(Multiple
choice)

Which is the
Japanese
traditional song?
A. Mo Li Hua
B. Loi Loi
Gratong
C. Sakura
D. Chan Mali
Chan

SCORING GUIDE

Learn the
music of
East Asia
(Japan) and
how it
reflects the
different
aspects
through its
musical
elements

Process

Sing the song

Performance Sakura
Test
containing
(Group
musical elements

One point
per correct
answer

Rubric :
Describe ____
musical
elements
5 all 7
4 most

ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND SAMPLE ENHANCED QUESTIONS (Music)

COMPETENCY

Learn the
music of

LEVEL OF
ASSESSMEN
T

ASSESSMENT
TOOL

SAMPLE ENHANCED
QUESTIONS

Understanding

Oral
Discourse

Explain different
musical element of
the song Sakura.

Performa
nce/Outp
ut

Participation
(Group
Activity)

Sing Sakura with

action showing its
musical elements.

East Asia
(Japan) and
how it
reflects the
different
aspects
through its
musical
elements

SCORING GUIDE

Rubric:
Logical
Comprehensive
Meaningful
Grammatically correct
Delivery
5-presence of all
indicators
4-presence of 4
indicators
3-presence of 3
indicators
2-presence of 2
indicators
1-presence of 1
indicator
Rubrics:
*Correct pitch in singing
Precision of movement
with pitch and rhythm
Enthusiasm
Creativity of
movement
4- presence of all
indicators
3-presence of 3
indicators
2-presence of 2

Two-Way TOS Contents/Topics

Taught

Contents are listed down the left

side and the instructional objectives
are listed across the top of the table

No.
of
Hrs

No. of
Test
Items

Ap

An

Conversion of
Units

33

17

Speed and
Velocity

33

17

Acceleration

34

16

15

100

50

12

11

Total

K Knowledge C Comprehension
S Synthesis
E Evaluation

Ap Application

An Analysis

How to prepare the Table of Specification

(TOS) (Garcia, 2008)
1. Determine the objectives to be assessed by
the test.
2. List down the topics covered for inclusion in
the test.
3. Specify the number of days/hours spent for
teaching a particular topic.
4. Determine percentage allocation of test
items for each of the topics covered.
Formula:
% = No. of hrs/Total No. of Hrs X 100

How to prepare the Table of Specification

(TOS) (Garcia, 2008)
Determine the total number of items to be
made.
6. Determine the number of items to
construct for each topic.
Formula:
No. of Items per topic = Total No. of
Items X % of the topic
7. Distribute the number of items to the
objectives to be tested.
5.