Definition
A category of written test item in which the learner must produce (supply) the answer themselves, rather than choose from options provided. Common forms include fill-in-the-blank, short-answer, and essay questions.
Plain English
A test question where the student has to write or speak the answer from their own knowledge, instead of picking it from a list.
Context Anchor
Seen in instructor training when building or evaluating traditional tests, quizzes, oral questions, and written lesson checks.
Derivation
From 'supply,' meaning to provide or furnish. The learner must furnish the answer from memory, as opposed to a 'selection type' question where the answer is selected from choices already given.
Why Pilots Care
Supply-type questions let instructors gauge deeper understanding and reasoning during ground instruction and knowledge checks.
Intuition Check
Do not read supply type as a kind of aircraft supply, equipment, or inventory category. In assessment, it means the learner supplies the answer.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor included several supply-type questions on the quiz to make sure students could explain the four forces of flight in their own words.
Example Sentence 2
When preparing the knowledge test review, she included both selection-type and supply-type items to check different levels of understanding.