Calculate the difficulty level in Questions. How do you calculate the difficulty level in Questions?

There is a defined way to calculate a question’s difficulty level, especially in educational assessments and test item analysis. The process is typically data-driven and involves using student performance on each question.

Difficulty Index (P-Value) – The Standard Formula

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Interpretation of Difficulty Level

P-Value (%)	Difficulty Level	Interpretation

> 80%

Easy

Most students answered correctly

30% – 80%

Moderate / Acceptable

Good level of difficulty

< 30%

Difficult

Needs review (too hard or poorly framed)

Example: Calculate the difficulty level

Suppose 100 students attempted a question.

• 85 students got it right
• Then:

Interpretation: The question is easy.

In Item Analysis (Post-Exam)

The difficulty index is often combined with the Discrimination Index (to measure how well a question differentiates high vs. low performers). But for basic paper-setting and feedback:

• Use Bloom’s Level to assign expected difficulty (before the exam)
• Use the Difficulty Index to analyze actual difficulty (after the exam)

If you don’t have student data, you can predict difficulty based on:

1. Bloom’s Taxonomy Level:
   • Remembering = Easy
   • Understanding = Easy to Moderate
   • Applying = Moderate
   • Analyzing = Moderate to Hard
   • Evaluating/Creating = Hard
2. Marks assigned (Higher marks often = harder)
3. Expected time per question

Example: Environmental Science Question Paper Using Bloom’s Taxonomy

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Section A – Very Short Answer (1 mark each)

(Bloom’s Level 1-2: Remember & Understand)

1. Define ecosystem.
2. List any two causes of air pollution.
3. What is biodiversity?
4. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources.

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Section B – Short Answer (5 marks each)

(Bloom’s Level 3-4: Apply & Analyze)

5. Explain how deforestation contributes to climate change.
6. Analyze the effects of plastic waste in urban areas.
7. Apply the 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to daily life.
8. Compare and contrast two types of natural disasters with examples.

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Section C – Long Answer (10 marks each)

(Bloom’s Level 5-6: Evaluate & Create)

9. Evaluate the role of government policies in controlling pollution.
10. Design an awareness campaign for reducing water usage in your college.
11. Justify the need for environmental ethics in modern society.

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