International Junior Science Olympiade(IJSO), KJSO, biology, item analysis
Abstract
In this study, multiple-choice and theoretical test questions presented at the International Junior
Science Olympiade (IJSO) in 2019 were analyzed based on the behavior area (problem type) and content
area (evaluation content element). We also analyzed the causes of the students' incorrect answers in multiple
choice, theory, and experimental tests. In the multiple-choice questions, the proportion of knowledge area
was lower and application area was higher compared to the previous decade. In the theoretical question, the
ratio of knowledge area and reasoning area increased. In the content area, the proportion of ecology has
increased, and the fields of heredity, evolution, and plant structure and function have been greatly reduced.
Lack of knowledge was the leading cause of incorrect choices across multiple choice and theoretical
questions, and the lack of reasoning ability was the second largest. The experimental tests were not difficult
and the students performed well, but they were not faithful to the basics, such as not following the questions
or missing basic pictures and signs.
