Definition
The individual questions, problems, or tasks that make up a test, each designed to measure whether a student has achieved a specific learning objective.
Plain English
The single questions or tasks on a test. Each one checks whether the student has learned a particular point.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor material when discussing how tests are built and how student learning is measured.
Derivation
Test comes from an old word meaning a way to examine or prove something. Item originally meant a separate point in a list. Together, test items means the separate points on a test that each check something specific.
Why Pilots Care
Well-written test items measure what was actually taught. Poorly written ones can fail a capable student or pass an unprepared one, which matters when the test decides whether someone is ready to fly.
Intuition Check
Do not read item here as a physical object. In this context, an item is one separate question, task, or prompt on a test.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor reviewed each test item to make sure it matched a specific objective from the lesson.
Example Sentence 2
Each test item was checked to ensure it measured only one specific skill at a time.