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Definition

A matching question is two lists of related words, phrases, pictures, or symbols. Each item in one list is paired with at least one item in the other list.


Matching may be considered to be a variant of multiple-choice in which more than one choice is correct.


Check all that apply (multiple select) is also a variant of matching in which one of the lists (or the stem) has only one item.

• Used for recognition of relationships and making associations
• Can be used for a wide range of subject matter
• Can be used to match
  • terms and definitions
  • symbols and names
  • questions with answers
  • cause with effect
  • parts with functions
  • procedures with operations
  • principles with situations in which they apply
• Good matching items can easily be converted to multiple-choice items.
• The premises and responses should be homogeneous.

Example - good

Column A contains a list of characteristics of questions. On the line to the left of each phrase, write the letter of the question type in Column B that best fits the phrase. Each response in Column B may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

Column A	Column B
(B) 1. Least useful for educational diagnosis	A. Multiple-choice
(A) 2. Measures greatest variety of learning outcomes	B. True-false
(C) 3. Most difficult to score objectively	C. Short answer
(B) 4. Provides the highest score by guessing

Column A lists several phrases related to Pennsylvania. On the line to the left of each phrase, write the letter of the response in column B that best fits the phrase.

Column A	Column B
__ 1. Pennsylvania's official state flower	A. Ruffed grouse
__ 2. Pennsylvania's official state bird	B. Pittsburgh
__ 3. Major steel producing city	C. Mountain laurel
__ 4. 2003 Penn State student population	D. Over 80,000
	E. Erie

Main errors:

1. Directions about how to handle choices in Column B are unclear.

2. The responses are not homogeneous. That is, answers for 1, 2, and 4 are obvious, leaving only the two cities as choices for 3.

Advantages of matching questions

• Quite easy to write
• Easy to score
• Matching exercises are a space-saving, objective, compact method to assess learning targets.
• Matching questions can be developed to use with pictures, maps, graphs, etc.

Disadvantages

• Does not measure any type of interpretation, judgment, or application
• If lists contain same number of choices, the last few choices may be give-aways.
• Students can use rote memorization to answer these exercises especially since typical matching problems involve assessment of rote associations such as names, dates, etc.
• Can be difficult to develop homogeneous premises and responses.

Special thanks to the Schreyer Institute for their contributions to these pages.