High percentage of secondary school students was found that they were lack of understanding of the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration in plants. They did not fully understand the importance and function about plant respiration. Thus, this study designed to develop a valid and reliable instrument in two- tier multiple choice questions format which called Photosynthesis and Plant Respiration Diagnostic Test (PRDT) to assess the common types of misconceptions related to this topic among form four students (Grade 10) in Malaysia. Survey research method was applied in this study. There were 500 participants from 15 secondary schools were involved. 45 minutes were given to the participants in answering 18 two- tier diagnostic test items. The psychometric properties of the instrument had been tested using Rasch analysis. The result found that the newly developed instrument was valid and reliable. It brought the significant contribution in teaching and learning, especially classroom assessment practice in Biology subject.

This study aims to identify common misconceptions about photosynthesis and plant respiration among Form Four (Grade 10) students by developing two-tier multiple-choice test questions. This descriptive survey research was carried out using a quantitative approach, with 500 study samples. The items in Photosynthesis and Plant Respiration Diagnostic Test (PRDT) was designed in two parts; Part One tested the students’ knowledge of concepts, and Part Two tested the students’ understanding and reasoning. Rasch analysis was used to obtain the option probability curves for each item. The option probability curves present a visual image of the distribution of correct answers and misconceptions across the spectrum of student knowledge. The findings showed that students had 43 common misconceptions, which can be categorised into the inability to trace matter, energy as well as scale and location. The findings brought significant implications on the progress of the teaching and learning of Biology.

This study aims to identify common misconceptions about photosynthesis and plant respiration among Form Four (Grade 10) students by developing two-tier multiple-choice test questions. This descriptive survey research was carried out using a quantitative approach, with 500 study samples. The items in Photosynthesis and Plant Respiration Diagnostic Test (PRDT) was designed in two parts; Part One tested the students’ knowledge of concepts, and Part Two tested the students’ understanding and reasoning. Rasch analysis was used to obtain the option probability curves for each item. The option probability curves present a visual image of the distribution of correct answers and misconceptions across the spectrum of student knowledge. The findings showed that students had 43 common misconceptions, which can be categorised into the inability to trace matter, energy as well as scale and location. The findings brought significant implications on the progress of the teaching and learning of Biology.