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Create a Matching Table Item

This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating a Matching Table item in the Item Bank. This item type is structured as a table, where each row after the header row functions as a "question," and each column other than the first represents an "answer choice." Matching Table items are best used when creating an item with answer choices that are not mutually exclusive. The answer choices hold a set of checkboxes with at least one correct answer choice for each question row, and it is recommended that there be at least one row with more than one correct answer. This article guides users on creating a Matching Table Item.

Before You Begin

Consider the appropriate item type:

Matching Table and Multiple Binary items are very similar. Matching Table uses checkboxes, where Multiple Binary uses radio buttons, and both are formatted as a table with a minimum of 3 columns.

For Matching Table items, each question row holds a set of checkboxes, with potentially more than one correct answer per row. For a Multiple Binary item, each question row holds a set of radio buttons, with exactly one correct answer per row.

Matching Table items should be used with answer choices that are not all mutually exclusive, and may overlap. Multiple Binary items should be used for answer choices that are mutually exclusive.

If a Multiple Binary item type seems more appropriate, take a look at Create a Multiple Binary Item.

Where to Start

The Assessments navigation tile.
  1. Select Assessments.
  2. Select Browse Item Bank.

Create a New Item

The Create Item and Matching Table item type buttons.
  1. Select Create Item.
  2. Use the drop down menu to select Matching Table as the item type.

Matching Table

An example Matching Table item, with the Item Stem labeled as step 5, number of Columns labeled as step 6, first column header labeled as step 7, further column headers labeled as step 8, question rows labeled as step 9, checkboxes labeled as step 10, the trash can icon labeled as step 11, the two-line icon labeled as step 12, and + Add Another Row labeled as step 13.
  1. Enter the Item Stem. The stem is the beginning part of an item. For a simple item like the example above, the stem might just tell the student to check all the statements that are true for each row. Often, however, the stem will include additional information that the student will need to consult to answer the question.
    • To insert a line break in the Stem, use shift-return (or shift-enter, depending on the keyboard).
  2. Enter how many columns the item should have. The first column will represent the question, and the others will be the answer choices. 3 columns minimum.
  3. Enter a header for the first column (Optional). If there is a natural category that describes all of the questions, users may want to enter it here. For instance, this could be Statement, Number, or Shape. If there isn't a term that seems like a natural fit, leave the header blank. 
  4. Enter answer labels for the remaining columns. It is best to keep these relatively concise statements such as, Is..., Is not..., and Is neither.... These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
  5. Enter text into each question row. These are the questions that make up a Matching Table item. These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
  6. Use the checkboxes to select the correct answer(s) for each question row. At least one correct answer must be defined for each question row.
  7. Use the 2 line icon to drag and re-order rows.
  8. Use the trashcan to delete the question row.
  9. Select + Add Another Row to create a new row.

For any question rows where no answer choice is correct, create a none of the above answer choice column.

Users can include images in question rows. To do so, it is first necessary to use Settings to turn on Enable Images. 

Item Details

The item settings menus, with the Standards icon labeled as step 14, Passages labeled as step 15, Tags labeled as step 16, and the Settings and Properties menus labeled as step 17.
  1. To link Standard(s) to the item, select the Three Pages icon.
  2. To link a Passage to the item, select the Book icon.
  3. To add Tags to the item, select the Tag icon.
  4. Additional Settings are available to edit per item, such as Enabling Images for question rows, Teacher Instructions, and Rationale.

Item Preview

An example Matching Table item, with the Item Preview tab selected and labeled as step 18, the Role dropdown labeled as step 19, the item preview area labeled as step 20, and the Check Answers toggle labeled as step 21.
  1. Select Item Preview.
  2. Use the dropdown menu to preview the item from a Student or Instructor Role.
  3. Use the checkboxes to select an answer.
  4. Select the Check Answers toggle to verify correct answers. Correctly-selected answer choices will be colored green, incorrectly-selected answer choices will be colored orange, and unselected correct answer choices will also be outlined in orange.

Publish Item

The Done menu, with Done labeled as step 22, Publish labeled as step 23, Save Draft labeled as step 24, and Discard labeled as step 25.
  1. When the item is completed, select Done.
  2. Select Publish to make the item available to use in an assessment.
  3. Select Save Draft to save the item, if it is not ready to be published.
  4. Select Discard to delete the item.

Once items are Published, they can be Locked, Edited, or Deleted.

Next Steps

Now that you have created a Matching Table item, learn about Creating an Item Bank Assessment.

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