Create a few exam questions after each class. You are more likely to design an exam that reflect the central topics of the course.

Avoid trick questions.

Give clear instructions and indicate point values for each question.

To minimize cheating in large classes, create multiple versions of a test, with the same questions in a different order. Make students aware, so they won’t be tempted to copy another student’s test.

Avoid student anxiety by testing frequently instead of only giving a mid-term and a final.

Students take longer to answer questions than you do. To design an exam that is a reasonable length, allow for students to spend about four times as long as it takes you.