Mixed Test System - How to Use 3 Question Types in One Test?

In modern assessment and evaluation processes, relying on a single question type is no longer sufficient. For corporate evaluations, 360-degree feedback, and comprehensive competency analyses, the ability to combine different question types within a single test is critically important. That's precisely the need addressed by the Mixed Test System developed on the TestEd platform, offering a revolutionary approach in the world of assessment and evaluation.

What is the Mixed Test System?

The Mixed Test System is an innovative test format that combines three different question types (Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended questions) within the same test, allowing category-based scoring and evaluation. Thanks to this feature offered by the TestEd platform, each category can have a different question type and be scored independently.

For example, in a competency assessment test:

• "Communication Skills" category: Behavioral measurement with Likert scale

• "Technical Knowledge" category: Knowledge level assessment with multiple choice questions

• "Career Goals" category: Qualitative evaluation with open-ended questions

Question Types Used in Mixed Tests

1. Likert Scale (Attitude and Behavior Measurement)

The Likert scale is the most reliable method used in attitude, behavior, and perception measurements. In TestEd's Mixed Test System, Likert questions are displayed in table format (matrix table) to optimize user experience.

Likert Scale Features:

• 5-point scale: Strongly Disagree (1) - Strongly Agree (5)

• Collective display in table format (matrix table)

• Min-max normalization with 0-5 range scoring

• Category average calculation

2. Multiple Choice Questions (Knowledge Level Assessment)

Multiple choice questions are used to objectively measure the participant's knowledge level on a specific topic. Each question has one correct answer and scoring is based on correct/incorrect logic.

Multiple Choice Question Features:

• Correct answer: 5 points

• Incorrect answer: 0 points

• Category success percentage calculation

• Single question-single answer format

3. Open-Ended Questions (Qualitative Evaluation)

Open-ended questions allow participants to express their thoughts, experiences, and opinions in detail. This question type is used for qualitative data collection and is not automatically scored.

Open-Ended Question Features:

• No automatic scoring (qualitative evaluation)

• Text area format for answering

• Bulk review via Excel export

• Ability to add administrator notes

Category-Based Scoring System

One of the most powerful features of the Mixed Test System is the category-based scoring mechanism. Each category is scored and reported independently according to its own question type.

Scoring for Likert Categories

Min-max normalization is applied to Likert categories:

• Raw scores are collected on a 1-5 scale

• Scale conversion to 0-5 range with min-max normalization

• Category average is calculated

• Presented with visual charts (radar chart, bar chart)

Scoring for Multiple Choice Categories

Correct/incorrect logic is applied to multiple choice categories:

• Each correct answer: 5 points

• Each incorrect answer: 0 points

• Category success percentage: (Number of correct / Total questions) × 100

• Average score calculation on a 0-5 scale

Reporting for Open-Ended Categories

Qualitative evaluation is performed on open-ended categories:

• No automatic scoring

• Answers are reported in text format

• Bulk analysis can be done via Excel export

• Administrator notes and tagging can be added

Mixed Test Usage Scenarios

The flexibility of the Mixed Test System allows for many different usage scenarios:

1. 360-Degree Evaluations

In 360-degree feedback processes, participants need to be evaluated from different perspectives. Mixed test meets this need:

• Competencies: Behavioral evaluation with Likert scale

• Role knowledge: Technical competency check with multiple choice

• Development areas: Qualitative feedback collection with open-ended questions

2. Competency-Based Assessments

Mixed test is ideal for creating corporate competency maps:

• Behavioral competencies: Attitude measurement with Likert

• Technical competencies: Knowledge level assessment with multiple choice

• Self-assessment: Individual perspective collection with open-ended questions

3. Comprehensive Interview Processes

For multi-faceted evaluation of candidates in recruitment processes:

• Personality traits: Psychological profile with Likert

• Technical skills: Aptitude test with multiple choice

• Motivation and goals: Understanding candidate vision with open-ended questions

4. Training Effectiveness Evaluations

Mixed test can be used to measure the impact of training programs:

• Participant satisfaction: Training quality evaluation with Likert

• Learning outcomes: Knowledge transfer check with multiple choice

• Suggestions and feedback: Identifying improvement areas with open-ended questions

Test Creation Steps

Creating a Mixed Test on the TestEd platform is quite simple:

Step 1: Test Template Selection

• Click the "Create New Test" button on the TestEd dashboard

• Select "Mixed Test" as the test type

• Define test name, description, and target audience

Step 2: Category Creation

• Create new category with "Add Category" button

• Select question type for each category: Likert / Multiple Choice / Open-Ended

• Define category name, description, and weight

Step 3: Adding Questions

• Add questions under each category according to the relevant question type

• Set scale options for Likert questions

• Mark the correct answer for multiple choice questions

• Add guiding text for open-ended questions

Step 4: Test Settings and Publishing

• Configure test duration, validity dates, and access settings

• Specify reporting options (individual/team/department)

• Activate the test with the "Publish" button

• Share the test link with your target audience

Reporting and Analysis

The powerful reporting infrastructure of the Mixed Test System combines all question types under a single report:

Individual Reports

• Separate score display for each category

• Likert categories: Average score (0-5) and radar chart

• Multiple choice categories: Percentage correct and detail table

• Open-ended categories: Full text answers

Team and Department Reports

• Team averages by category

• Cross-department comparison charts

• Identification of strong and development areas

• Detailed data analysis via Excel export

Excel Export Features

The Excel export format of mixed tests has a special structure:

• First page: General summary and category scores

• Separate worksheet for each category

• Detailed answers by question

• Full texts of open-ended answers

Advantages of Mixed Test

Key advantages provided by the Mixed Test System:

• Multi-Dimensional Evaluation: Ability to collect quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously

• Time Efficiency: Meeting different measurement needs with a single test

• Flexible Structure: Full flexibility in number of categories and question types

• User-Friendly: Fast responses with matrix table format for Likert questions

• Advanced Reporting: Category-based detailed analyses and visualizations

• Mobile Compatible: All question types work on every device with responsive design

• Enterprise Compatibility: Ideal for 360-degree evaluations and competency maps

Best Practice Guidelines

Recommended practices to get the most out of the Mixed Test System:

1. Category Design

• Each category should focus on a single competency or topic

• Category names should be clear and understandable

• Ideal number of categories: 3-8 (depending on test length)

2. Question Type Selection

• Likert: Use for behavior, attitude, perception measurements

• Multiple Choice: Use for knowledge level and technical competencies

• Open-Ended: Use for opinion, suggestion, and qualitative data collection

3. Test Duration Planning

• Likert questions: Average 10-15 seconds per question

• Multiple choice questions: Average 30-45 seconds per question

• Open-ended questions: Average 2-3 minutes per question

• Add 20% flexibility margin to total time

The Mixed Test System offers a flexible and powerful solution that responds to modern assessment and evaluation needs. Thanks to this feature of the TestEd platform, organizations can conduct comprehensive evaluations by collecting both quantitative and qualitative data with a single test.

This system, which brings together Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended question types, provides an ideal toolkit for 360-degree evaluations, competency analyses, interview processes, and training effectiveness measurements. With its category-based scoring mechanism and advanced reporting features, it strengthens your data-driven decision-making processes.

With TestEd's user-friendly interface, mobile compatibility, and detailed analysis tools, you can create your mixed tests in minutes and take your organization's assessment and evaluation processes to the next level.