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AN ITEM ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH MIDTERM TEST

FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER OF THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS

OF SMP N 1 PEDAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2016/2017

DINDA PERMATA SARI

K2213020

Submitted to the Education and Teacher Training Faculty of Sebelas Maret

University as the Part of the Requirements for Accomplishing

The Undergraduate Degree of Education in English

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND TEACHER TRAINING

SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY

SURAKARTA

2018

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ABSTRACT

Dinda Permata Sari K2213020. AN ITEM ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH

MIDTERM TEST FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER OF THE EIGHTH

GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP N 1 PEDAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF

2016/2017. A Thesis, Teacher Training and Education Faculty of Sebelas Maret

University. December, 2017.

This research is intended to find out whether the multiple-choice items of

English midterm test for the eighth grade students of junior high school in Pedan in

the second semester have fulfilled the criteria of a good and appropriate test item

viewed from the effectiveness of test item, item difficulty, and item discriminating

power.

The research focuses on the description of the test items’ appropriateness

based on the quantitative data. The subject of the study is the English midterm test

for the second semester of the eighth grade students of SMP N 1 Pedan in the

academic year of 2016/2017. In collecting the data the writer uses document as data

source. The data were taken from 100 students’ test answer sheets and one set

English test items of eighth grade in SMP N 1 Pedan. The appropriateness of the

test items is analyzed using item analysis technique. The analysis comprises three

aspects i.e. index of discriminating power, level of difficulty, and the effectiveness

of distracters. Meanwhile, the analysis on construction of the stem and alternatives

is based on several aspects given by experts.

The findings of the research show that there are 14 test items (28%) of the

total items have a good index of discriminating power and level of difficulty with

effective distracters. Then, there are 16% (8 items) that need some revision and are

considered to be rewritten. The remaining items i.e., 56% (28 items) belong to the

rejected ones that cannot be used again. While, in the construction aspect, 94% (47

items) have possessed a good stem and alternatives.

Finally, the items used as midterm test in SMP N 1 Pedan have good quality

viewed from the stem and alternatives but most of the items have not fulfilled

difficulty index and discriminating power with effective distracters.

Keywords: Item analysis, level of difficulty, discriminating index

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MOTTO

Life is the most difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy

others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper.

(Anonymous)

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. When life is dragging

you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something

great. So just focus and keep aiming.

(Anonymous)

We all have a purpose here on this earth. Every morning you wake up is

Allah’s way of saying there’s still work to be done.

(Anonymous)

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DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to:

My beloved parents, Mr. Sutrisno and Mrs. Sri Sujatiningsih. My beloved

brothers, Wayan, Dian, and Pam

Thanks for always praying and supporting me

My best friends ‘Frenemy’ (Bibit Purnomowati, Choirunnisa, Devi Ismira

Yuliandari, Maknabara Amoriani Sukmana, Oki Lutfiany Maesaroh, and

Rima Santika)

Thanks for helps and supports.

All inspiring people in my life

Thanks for giving me chances to learn and improve myself.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillah, all praises is for Allah SWT for His infinite gift for me,

for giving the opportunity to complete the writing of this thesis. In this occasion, I

would like to express my deepest gratitude to:

1. The Dean of Teacher Training and Education Faculty of Sebelas Maret

University

2. Teguh Sarosa, S.S., M.Hum., as The Head of English Education

Department

3. Dr. Abdul Asib, M.Pd., as the first supervisor who has given his guidance,

advice, encouragement, and patience.

4. Ellisa Indriyani Putri Handayani S.Pd.,M.Hum as the second supervisor

who has given her guidance, advice, encouragement, and patience.

5. H.Sriyanto,S.Pd,M.M.Pd, as the headmaster of SMP N 1 Pedan for giving

the permission to hold the research at school.

6. The board of English Education Department lectures and staffs who have

given their contribution to me for completing my thesis.

7. My beloved parents: Mr. Sutrisno and Mrs. Sri Sujatiningsih, My super

brothers: Wayan, Dian, and Pam thanks for your love, supports and prays.

8. My friends “frenemy squad”: Bibit Purnomowati, Choirunnisa, Devi Ismira

Yuliandari, Maknabara Amoriani Sukmana, and Oki Lutfiany Maesaroh.

9. My English Education Department family 2013 for their care and

togetherness during my study.

I will appreciatively accept any constructive criticisms, suggestions, or

comments since there is no perfectness in this entirely world including my

writing. I hope the thesis will be useful, helpful, and able to give contribution to

the readers.

Surakarta, January 2018

Dinda Permata Sari

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE ……………………………………………………………. i

PRONOUNCEMENT……………………………………………………... ii

APPROVAL ……………………................................................................. iii

THE LEGALIZATION OF THESIS EXAMINERS ……………………... iv

ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………. v

MOTTO …………………………………………………………………... vi

DEDICATION ……………………………………………………………. vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ………………………………………………... viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………………………………………. ix

LIST OF TABLES ………………………………………………………... xi

LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………….. xii

LIST OF APPENDICES ………………………………………………….. xiii

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ………………………………………….. 1

A. Background ……………………………………………………... 1

B. Problem Statement ………………………………………………. 3

C. Objectives of the Study ………………………………………….. 3

D. Benefit of the Study ……………………………………………... 3

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW ………………………………….. 5

A. Review on Test ………………………………………………………... 5

1. The Meaning of the Test …………………………………………... 5

2. Kinds of Test ………………………………………………………. 6

3. Types of Test Item ………………………………………………… 8

4. Multiple-Choice item ……………………………………………… 11

B. Review on Item Analysis ……………………………………………… 13

1. Basic Concepts of Test Analysis…………………………………... 13

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2. Item Analysis ……………………………………………………… 14

3. Formulation and Example …………………………………………. 14

C. Review of Relevant Studies……………………………………………. 19

CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ………………………… 21

A. Method of Research …………………………………………………… 21

B. Time and Place of the Study ………………………………………….. 21

C. Subject of the Study …………………………………………………… 22

D. Technique of Collecting the Data ……………………………………... 23

E. Technique of Analyzing the Data ……………………………………... 24

CHAPTER IV RESEARCH FINDINGS …………………………………. 26

A. The Description of the Data …………………………………………… 26

1. Analysis of Multiple Choice Item ………………………………… 26

2. Analysis on Constructing the Items ………………………………. 63

a). Stem …………………………………………………………… 63

b). Alternative ……………………………………………………. 64

B. Research Findings ……………………………………………………... 65

CHAPTER V CONCLUSION, IMPLICATION, SUGGESTION………... 74

A. Conclusion ……………………………………………………….......... 74

B. Implication …………………………………………………………….. 75

C. Suggestion ……………………………………………………………... 75

BIBLIOGRAPHY ………………………………………………………… 77

APPENDICES ……………………………………………………………. 79

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LIST OF TABLES

3.1 Items’ Difficulty Level………………………………………………… 24

3.2 Items’ Discriminating Index…………………………………………... 25

4.1 The Result of Analysis on Constructing the Stem…………………….. 62

4.2 The Result of Analysis on Constructing the Alternative……………… 64

4.3 The Result of Item Analysis on Multiple Choice Items……………….. 65

4.4 Number of Effectiveness Distracters ………………………................. 69

4.5 The Result of Analysis of Stem and Alternative………………………. 71

4.6 Summary of Item Analysis …………………………………………… 72

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LIST OF FIGURES

4.1 Pie Chart of Item Difficulty …………………………………………... 67

4.2 Pie Chart of Discriminating Power …………………………………… 68

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Worksheet………………………………………………... 80

Appendix 2. Answer Key………………………………………………. 87

Appendix 3. Table of Analysis on stem and Alternatives of the items... 88

Appendix 4. Students’ Work Sheets …………………………………... 96

Appendix 5. Letter of Permission ……………………………………... 100

Appendix 6. List of Students Taken on the Research………………….. 106