What is a recommended strategy for formulating test items?

Limiting the use of negatives in test items is a widely recommended strategy because it can help improve clarity and comprehension for the test-taker. When questions contain negative words like "not" or "never," they can lead to confusion or misinterpretation, as students might overlook these words or misread the intent of the question. By constructing questions in a straightforward manner without negatives, you make it easier for students to understand what is being asked and to provide their responses based on their knowledge and skills, rather than grappling with complex wording.

In contrast, the other options present practices that could hinder the assessment process. Increasing the use of tricky phrases may lead to misunderstanding or frustration without accurately testing knowledge. Focusing exclusively on multiple-choice items limits the variety of assessment types that can gauge different skills effectively. Avoiding real-world applications means missing opportunities to relate the content to practical situations, which is essential for assessing the applicability of knowledge in real contexts.