Determination of accessibility levels of biology questions in PISA and TIMSS exams

In this study, it was aimed to determine the test accessibility of the biology questions in the science test of PISA and TIMSS exams, which are applied with a wider participation in each following period and which should be developed in a way that allows students to demonstrate their potential competencies. In PISA and TIMSS exam, the accessibility levels of the questions related to the scope of biology in the related field were examined through the Test Accessibility and Regulation Inventory (TEDE). The sample group of the study consisted of coders involved in determining the accessibility levels of the biology questions in the PISA and TIMSS exams. In the selection of coders, the criteria were considered to have experience in measurement and evaluation as well as biology or science education. Document analysis method was used to investigate the cognitive accessibility levels of PISA and TIMSS biology questions. Accessibility levels of the TEDE were determined within the scope of paragraph/question stimulus, question root, images, answer options, page layout, moral dimensions. The results of the research indicated that the questions in PISA and TIMSS exams are not at the level of accessibility. Keywords: Accessibility, PISA, Test accessibility, TIMSS