A model was developed to provide a uniform method for vocational and technical education content experts to develop test items (written questions and performance measures) that are congruous with course-level exit competencies. The model is essentially a closed-system approach in that specific action verbs must be identified and operationally defined. Once identified and defined, these action verbs are exclusively used when developing course-level competencies. The operational definitions of the action verbs include (1) general type of learning to be measured, (2) level of learning to be measured, (3) brief description specifying the nature of the learning, and (4) primary test item format that must be used to measure the learning. The test item writer is provided specific guidelines to follow when analyzing competencies and developing test items to measure these competencies. (Appendix A is the procedural guide for developing test items and performance measures. Contents include assessment requirements of a competency; advantages and limitations of types of test items; guidelines for writing each type of test item; and guidelines for developing performance assessments. Appendix B is a glossary of operational definitions of action verbs. Appendix C provides sample stems of multiple-choice test items related to specific action verbs.) (YLB)