What method is used to establish a test's overall difficulty based on frequently missed questions?

The method used to establish a test's overall difficulty based on frequently missed questions is the evaluation of missed questions. This approach involves analyzing which questions students commonly struggle with to gain insights into the overall challenging aspects of the test. By identifying trends in the responses, instructors can gauge not only the difficulty level of specific questions but also assess whether certain topics may need further emphasis in instruction or curriculum materials. This type of evaluation helps in refining assessments to better align with learning goals and student capabilities, ensuring that the test accurately reflects the knowledge and skills that have been taught.

Other methods listed, such as analysis of student performance and feedback from instructors, are valuable in understanding students' overall understanding and experiences, but they do not specifically focus on the intricacies of missed questions and their direct correlation to test difficulty. Review of curriculum effectiveness, while important, does not directly inform the established difficulty level of a test based on question performance alone.