Ministry of Education

Test Blueprint for National Exit Examination to be held in 2015 E.C

Band: 4
Program: Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics

Compiled By:

Abdulkarim Yahiya, Samara University

Beyan Ahmed (PhD), Haramaya University

Tekalign Tuluka, Haramaya University

January, 2023
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
 Table of contents

Contents Page
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………1
2. Objective of test blueprint……………………………………………………………………. 2
2.1. Objective of test blueprint
document…………………………………………………………...2
2.2. Significance of the Test Blueprint document …………………………………………………
3
3. Expected Profiles of Graduates………………………………………………………………3
4. Objective of the program……………………………………………………………………………….5
4.1. General objectives………………………………………………………………………………5
4.2. Specific objectives………………………………………………………………………
6
5. Themes and courses to be included in the exit exam………………………………………. .8
6. Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in Percentage…………………………………………9
7. Test blueprint Table (Table of Specification………………………………………………………10
8. Themes and courses to be included in the exit exam……………………………………. 14
9. Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………15
1. Introduction

In order to improve the quality of graduates produced by higher learning institutions, Ethiopia's
Ministry of Education has announced the implementation of an exit exam for all undergraduate
program students (public and private) beginning with the 2022/2023 academic year. The exit
exam was designed to determine whether students had acquired the necessary knowledge, skills,
and attitudes. This requires determining competency areas for a specific program that has already
been completed. It is necessary to plan the development of tests based on the prepared
competency areas.

The Ministry of Education of Ethiopia has announced the implementation of exit exam for all
undergraduate program students (public and private), beginning with the 2022/2023 academic
year, in order to improve the quality of graduates produced by higher learning institutions. The
exit exam aimed at checking whether students have acquired the required knowledge, skills and
attitudes or not. To implement this, it requires determining competency areas for a specific
program, which is already completed. Based on the competency areas prepared, it needs to plan
the construction of tests.

The planning of a test is the first and most important step in the development of an achievement
test. An achievement test necessitates very systematic and careful planning, as good planning is a
sign of success. Tests are tools that provide scores that measure the level of student learning and
the learning outcomes of study programs. The development of valid and reliable tests is required
to achieve valid and reliable measurement of student learning and program learning outcomes.
The test should be able to assess student performance across all dimensions of knowledge, skill,
and attitude.

The well-planned test construction contributes to the test's overall quality in terms of test content
validity, difficulty level, discrimination power, and test reliability. Test preparation is a difficult
task that requires careful planning and guidelines to make it simple. The preparation of a test blue
print is required for test construction. A test blueprint is a detailed plan that explains how to
create a test. The term refers to an assessment map or specification that ensures that all aspects of

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the curriculum and educational domains are covered by assessment programs over a specified
time period. It assists curriculum developers/test developers in matching various competencies
with course content and the appropriate mode of assessment.
In general, a test blueprint will assist in ensuring that tests: 1) Assess the achievement of the
course's instructional objectives; 2) Reflect key course goals, objectives, and the material learned
or covered during the instruction period; and 3) Include the appropriate item formats in addition
to the knowledge and skills being assessed.

Keeping this in mind, the team created this test blueprint document to assist test developers or
content specialists in their process of creating valid and reliable tests. The core competencies that
have already been identified for the themes of courses, the course contents, course credit hours,
and the learning outcomes with their corresponding levels of achievement by learning domains
were the major points considered in the process of preparing this test blue print guideline. In
accordance with these, the number of test items that should adequately assess students'
performance in all content topics will be determined through consultation with the content
specialists who create the blueprint and test for their corresponding study program.

Therefore, the main purpose of this manual is to give direction on how to develop blueprint for
content specialists so that they can develop a test blueprint for their respective program

2. Objective/ Significance of Test Blueprint Preparation

2.1. Objective of test blueprint document

Test blueprint preparation is commonly used to aid in the preparation of a test that is
representative, broadly sampled, and includes the entire knowledge domain expected of Ethiopian
higher education students upon completion of their study program.
The specific objectives of test blueprint are to:
 Facilitate the construction of a representative and balanced test items for the selected
courses in accordance with the competencies identified.
 Guide test developers or writers to write or set appropriate test items.

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 2.2. Significance of the Test Blueprint document

Test blueprint can be a guideline to prepare the exit exam items with regard to the identified core
competences for the selected courses. It enables the exit exam preparing committee to be smart
and assist them while preparing the items. Moreover, test blueprint maintains the consistency of
the questions over different universities sticking on the same competences and objectives. In
general, test blueprint makes clear where, how and what questions are prepared to evaluate the
graduating class which most likely can reduce the confusion of the exit exam.

3. Expected Profiles of Graduates

In general, the intended graduate of Agricultural Economics is expected to develop economic
information on farm production methods and technologies; the structure and efficiency of the
agricultural system; production linkages with processing, distribution, and final consumer
demand; agricultural trade and policy to assist farmers, agribusiness, and consumers in decision-
making; and to prepare dynamic careers in business. The curriculum combines economics and
agricultural fundamentals with insights into the dynamic social, technological, and environmental
forces that shape production and marketing decisions. Thus, the program aims to produce
qualified professionals who are knowledgeable, skilled and capable to work with appropriate and
desired attitude. The Agricultural Economics graduates are expected to involve in different tasks
in the Agricultural and related sectors which demand their expertise. The graduate/ professional
profile of Agricultural Economics includes the ability to:

 Design, implement and evaluate agricultural development programs and projects;

 Enhance sustainable agricultural development through effective and efficient mobilization
and utilization of the scarce resources;
 Undertake feasibility studies to advise investors, financial institutions, agriculture and
allied sectors;
 Undertake research and advise policy makers;
 Develop plans and strategies to enhance agricultural development;
 Advocate commercial agriculture, sustainable farming system and rural institutions for the
sustainable development of the country.

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  Promote national and international agricultural trade;
 Train and advise small scale farmers and agricultural enterprises; and
 Teach at higher education and technical and vocational training institutions.

After successful completion of the training, the graduates are expected to gain the following
competence: -

 Knowledge

 Participate in design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural development projects;

 Apply effective and efficient resource utilization theories and practices for sustainable
agricultural development;
 Involve in feasibility studies and advise investors, financial institutions, agriculture and
allied sectors;
 Assist researchers and policy makers in agricultural production and productivity;
marketing and sustainable use of natural resource and environment;
 Train and advise small scale farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs;
 Serve as planners in agricultural offices;
 Manage small scale farms and agricultural enterprises;
 Work as agricultural expert team leader, market expert, bank manager, policy maker and
loan officer; and
 Assist teaching at higher institutions, and technical and vocational training institutions.
 Formulate and advocate climate change and agricultural development policies and
strategies

 Skills

 Use conceptual skill in understanding the complex interrelationship between agriculture

sector and with the other economic sectors.
 Use marketing intelligence skills in acquiring, analysing and disseminating agricultural
development and marketing information.
 Practice analytical skills of research methodology, economic models and software’s in the
efficient resource utilization, agricultural development, marketing and business research

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 and innovation activities.

 Attitude

 Perceive the importance of agricultural development for economic growth of a country.

 Appreciate agricultural development in social, economic, environmental, cultural and
political context.
 Develop sense of enthusiasm to work with farmers, traders, bankers and managers in
agricultural economics areas.
 Appreciate the agricultural profession and to be dedicated agricultural economics who
love his profession.

4. Objective of the program

4.1. General objectives
Understand theories of costs and production and apply economic principles in resource
optimization.
Understand theories of elasticities and market failures
Understand and apply national income account
Analyze monetary and fiscal policy and growth and development issues
Explain economic growth and development theories and evaluate economic
development policy.
Economic valuation and management of natural and environmental resources.
Understand, estimate and predict economic variables using regression.
Apply linear and non-linear programming model for optimal resource allocation.
Prepare appropriate research design.
Understand international trade, economic growth and international trade agreements.
Understand market, pricing decision and marketing margins of agricultural products
Understand agricultural project preparation, appraisal and cost benefits analysis
Apply system approach and sustainable livelihood framework and farming system
research and extension.
Farm business management and optimum resources allocations.

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4.2. Specific objectives

The specific objectives of this academic program are to:

 Understand theories and different types of production relationships.

 Apply economic principles and theories for optimum resource allocation and utilization.
 Understand theory of costs and cost curves with production curves.
 Understand elasticities of input substitutions, technological progress and income
distributions.
 Understand why market fails and how government react.
 Describe the application of national income accounting system.
 Explain how aggregate variables are measured and related to each other.
 Discuss how the equilibrium real GDP and price level determined from the interaction of
aggregate demand and supply curves.
 Explain the IS and LM curves and how the monetary and fiscal policy instruments stabilize
the economy.
 Explain growth and development issues in macroeconomics.
 Explain basic concepts of economic and participate in development policy formulation and
evaluation.
 Discuss various theories of economic growth and development.
 Introduce the economic foundations of environmental and natural resources management
using some of the major issues which threaten the environment today, locally and globally
(e.g. soil erosion, deforestation, global warming, water pollution etc.).
 Examine the main tools and techniques that have been developed by economics to assess
environmental.
 Understand and apply the methodology of Econometrics for their research project.
 Estimate and use regression model using the real data and interpret the result.
 Use estimated equations to make predictions and forecasting.
 Develop/ formulate regression models based on theory in their field of study.

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 Enable students to acquire knowledge and techniques of optimization and apply in solving
problems in their field of study.
 Propose suitable decisions to resolve conflicts of interest among various sections of the
organizations by seeking out optimal solution.
 Apply linear programming and non-linear programming model for analyzing operational
problems in business (particularly in agricultural firms).
 Construct an effective sampling procedures and data collection tools for both qualitative and
qualitative research.
 Apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods.
 Evaluate the effects of various trade policy instruments on welfare of trading partners.
 Understand the role of multilateral trade negations and the proliferation of regional and
bilateral agreements.
 The effects of international trade on economic growth and development.
 Understand markets and marketing concepts in agriculture.
 Use pricing strategies and marketing orientations for effective market performance.
 Identify marketing channels, costs and margins at different marketing stages.
 Use marketing communication and conduct.
 Understand the different aspects of project preparation and analysis.
 Identify different approaches to cost-benefit analysis of agricultural projects.
 Get an understanding about the different methods of selecting or appraising agricultural
projects.
 Apply systems approach to research and development.
 Apply sustainable livelihood framework in farming system research and extension activities.
 Identify various production relations in pursuit of optimal resources combination that suites
specific farm situation.
 Apply economic principles and theories for optimum resource allocation and utilization.
 Apply farm planning and budgeting techniques in farm management decision-making.
 Apply management science and economics tools to solve farm related problems.
 Analyze farm business investment opportunities for effective farm planning.
 Prepare farm plan and recommend on the feasible alternative activities.

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5. Themes and courses to be included in the exit exam
Table 1: themes and course included in the exit exam
S.no Themes Lists of selected courses Cr.hrs Remarks

1 Economics Microeconomics I 3

Microeconomics II 3

Macroeconomics I 3

Macroeconomic II 3

Development Economics 3

Natural Resource and 3

Environmental Economics

Research Econometrics 4

2 Research Methods in 3
Agricultural Economics

Operational Research 3

3 Marketing International Agricultural Trade 3

Agricultural Marketing 3

4 Agriculture and Agricultural Project Planning and 3

policy Analysis

Farming Systems and Livelihood 3

Analysis

Farm management 3

Total Credit Hour 43

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6. Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in Percentage (%)
Table 2 Share of the Themes/Courses/Items in Percentage
Themes Course Name Credit Weight of course Number of test Cognitive
hour or proportion items from each

Psychomotor
Understand
course

Remember

Affective
Evaluate
Analyze

Create
Apply

Total
Microeconomics-I 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 1 4 2 - - - - - 7
Economics Microeconomic-II 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 1 2 2 2 - - - 7
Macroeconomics-I 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 - 2 2 2 1 - - - 7
41.86%
Macroeconomics-II 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86= 7 - 1 2 2 2 - - - 7
Development Economics 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 - 2 - 1 2 1 1 - 7
Natural Resources and 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 1 2 - 2 1 - 1 - 7
Environmental Economics
Theme one total credit 18
Econometric 4 4/10 = 0.4 0.4*22.25%= 9 - 2 2 2 - 1 - 2 9
Operational research 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22.25%= 7 - 1 2 1 1 1 - 1 7
Research Research Methods in 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22.25 = 7 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7
23.25% Agricultural Economics
Theme two total credit 10
International Agricultural 3 3/6 = 0.5 0.5*13.95 = 7 - 2 - 2 2 1 - 7
Marketing Trade
13.95% Agricultural Marketing 3 3/6 = 0.5 0.5*13.95= 7 - 2 1 1 1 - - 2 7
Theme three total credit 6
Agriculture Agricultural Project 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 1 2 - 2 - - 1 1 7
and Policy Planning and Analysis
Farming System and 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 - 1 3 1 1 - - 1 7
20.93% Livelihood Analysis
Farm Management 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 - - 2 1 1 1 1 1 7
Theme three total credit 9
Total for the program 43 4 24 19 20 13 6 5 9 100

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7. Test blueprint Table (Table of Specification ) Table 3: Test Blue-Print table

General Objective/ Learning outcomes

Expected Specific Objectives/ Cognitive
Competencies to be Learning outcomes
Themes Name of Courses Credit Share of measured

Creation/Synthesis
hour the themes

Understanding
in %

Remembering

Psychomotor

No. of items
Evaluation

Affective
Analysis
Appling
Economics Microeconomics- 3 Understand theories Understand theories and different types
1 2
I 18 of costs and of production relationships
x 100=41.86 % and
production Apply economic principles and
43 apply economic theories for optimum resource 2
principles in allocation and utilization
resource Understand theory of costs and cost
optimization curves with production curves 2

Microeconomic- 3 Understand theories Understand elasticities of input

II of elasticities and substitutions, technological progress 2 2
market failures and income distributions

Understand why market fails and how

government react 1 2

Macroeconomics- 3 Understand and Describe the application of national 2

I apply national income accounting system;
income account Explain how aggregate variables are 1 1 1
measured and related to each other
Discuss how the equilibrium real GDP 1 1
and price level determined from the
interaction of aggregate demand and
supply curves
Macroeconomics- 3 Analyze monetary Explain the IS and LM curves and how 1 1 1 1
II and fiscal policy and the monetary and fiscal policy
growth and instruments stabilize the economy
development issues Explain growth and development 1 1 1
issues in macroeconomics.
Development 3 Explain economic Explain basic concepts of economic 1 1 1 1 1

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 Economics growth and and participate in development policy
development formulation and evaluation
theories and Discuss various theories of economic 1 1
evaluate economic growth and development
development policy
Natural 3 Economic valuation Introduce the economic foundations of 1 1 1
Resources and and management of environmental and natural resources
Environmental natural and management using some of the major
Economics environmental issues which threaten the environment
resources today, locally and globally (e.g. soil
erosion, deforestation, global warming,
water pollution etc.);

Examine the main tools and techniques 1

that have been developed by
economists to assess environmental
problems and formulate sustainable
management strategies; 1 1 1

Research Econometric 4 10 Understand, Understand and apply the methodology 1

x 100=23.25
estimate%and predict of Econometrics for their research
43 economic variables project
using regression Estimate and use regression model 1 1 1
using the real data and interpret the
result,
Use estimated equations to make 1 1 1
predictions and forecasting
Develop/ formulate regression models 1 1
based on theory in their field of study
Operational 3 Apply linear and Enable students to acquire knowledge 1
research non-linear and techniques of optimization and
programming model apply in solving problems in their field
for optimal resource of study.
allocation Propose suitable decisions to resolve 1 1
conflicts of interest among various
sections of the organizations by

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 seeking out optimal solution
Apply linear programming and non- 2 1 1
linear programming model for
analyzing operational problems in
business (particularly in agricultural
firms)
Research 3 Prepare appropriate Construct an effective sampling 1 1 1 1
Methods in research design procedures and data collection tools
Agricultural for both qualitative and qualitative
Economics research
Apply quantitative and qualitative data 1 1 1
analysis methods

Marketing International 3 6 Understand Evaluate the effects of various trade 1 1

Agricultural x 100=13.95 %
international trade, policy instruments on welfare of
Trade 43 economic growth trading partners
and international Understand the role of multilateral 1 1
trade agreements trade negations and the proliferation of
regional and bilateral agreements
The effects of international trade on 1 1 1
economic growth and development
Agricultural 3 Understand market, Understand markets and marketing 1
Marketing pricing decision and concepts in agriculture
marketing margins Use pricing strategies and marketing 1 1
agricultural products orientations for effective market
performance;
Identify marketing channels, costs and 1 1 1
margins at different marketing stages
Use marketing communication and 1
conduct
Agriculture and Agricultural 9 Understand Understand the different aspects of 1 1
Policy Project Planning 3 x 100=20.93 %
agricultural project project preparation and analysis
and Analysis 43 preparation, Identify different approaches to cost- 1 1
appraisal and cost benefit analysis of agricultural
benefits analysis projects;
Get an understanding about the 1 1 1
different methods of selecting or
appraising agricultural projects.
Farming System 3 Apply system Apply systems approach to research 1 1 1
and Livelihood approach and and development
Analysis sustainable Apply sustainable livelihood 2 1 1

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 livelihood framework in farming system research
framework and and extension activities
farming system
research and
extension
Farm Farm business Identify various production relations in 1
Management 3 management and pursuit of optimal resources
optimum resources combination that suites specific farm
allocations situation,

Apply economic principles and 1

theories for optimum resource
allocation and utilization
Apply farm planning and budgeting 1
techniques in farm management
decision-making
Apply management science and 1
economics tools to solve farm related
problems,
Analyze farm business investment 1 1
opportunities for effective farm
planning,
Prepare farm plan and recommend on 1
the feasible alternative activities.
Total 4 24 19 20 13 6 5 9 100

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8. Summary of Learning outcomes in terms of the three domains (Cognitive, Affective and
Psychomotor)
Table 4: Summary of learning outcomes in terms of the three domains

Share of Competencies (in Remar

%) k
Themes Course Name Cred Weight of Number of test
Knowled Attitu
it course or items from each Skill
hour proportion course
ge de
Microeconomics-I 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 8.14%
Economics Microeconomic-II 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 8.14%
Macroeconomics-I 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 8.14%
41.86%
Macroeconomics-II 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86= 7 8.14%
Development Economics 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 6.98% 20%
Natural Resources and 3 3/18=0.167 0.167*41.86 = 7 6.98% 20%
Environmental Economics
Theme one total credit 18
Econometric 4 4/10 = 0.4 0.4*22.25%= 9 8.14% 22.22
%
Research Operational research 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22.25%= 7 6.98% 11.11
23.25% %
Research Methods in 3 3/10 = 0.3 0.3*22.25 = 7 5.81% 11.11 20%
Agricultural Economics %
Theme two total credit 10
International Agricultural Trade 3 3/6 = 0.5 0.5*13.95 = 7 8.14%
Marketing
13.95% Agricultural Marketing 3 3/6 = 0.5 0.5*13.95= 7 5.81% 22.22
%
Theme three total credit 6
Agriculture and Agricultural Project Planning 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 5.81% 11.11 20%
Policy and Analysis %
Farming System and 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 6.98% 11.11
20.93% Livelihood Analysis %

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 Farm Management 3 3/9 = 0.33 0.33*20.95 = 7 5.81% 11.11 20%
%
Theme three total credit 9
Total for the program 43 100% 100% 100%

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9. Conclusions
Exit examinations can play an important role in producing graduates who are knowledgeable,
skilled, and emotionally mature. It helps to prepare competent graduates by acting as a quality
check for effectiveness. It also aids in the enhancement of the quality and effectiveness of
academic programs. Furthermore, it can serve as a platform for academic programs at various
universities to collaborate in order to improve program quality. As a result, this document has
been created to aid in the establishment of exit examinations for all programs offered by the
Ministry of Education. For 2015 EC graduating students, exit exam competency selection and
identifying core courses were done to meet the graduation profile, competency, and learning
outcome. As a result, preparing test blueprint is necessary to prepare fairly distributed items
based on the above criteria.

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