Which characteristic distinguishes subjective test questions from objective ones?

Subjective test questions are distinguished from objective ones primarily by the requirement for interpretation by the scorer. In subjective assessments, responses can vary widely based on the individual's perspective, reasoning, and personal insights. This means that the person evaluating the answer must interpret its quality, relevance, and depth, which can lead to variations in scoring depending on the evaluator's judgment, biases, and understanding of the material.

In contrast, objective test questions typically have clear and definitive answers that do not require interpretation. This makes scoring straightforward and consistent, as the evaluator can simply mark the presence or absence of the correct response.

While factors like clarity of the correct answer, the length of the response, and the scoring method can influence the design and execution of assessments, the defining characteristic of subjectivity lies in the interpretative role of the scorer in evaluating responses.