When an examination consists in whole or part of constructed response test items, it is common practice to allow the examinee to choose a subset of the constructed response questions from a larger pool. It is sometimes argued that, if choice were not allowed, the limitations on domain coverage forced by the small number of items might unfairly…

Discusses changes in testing as a result of the availability of extensive inexpensive computing and some recent developments in statistical test theory. Describes the role of the Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) and modern Item Response Theory (IRT) in ability testing tailored to each student's knowledge and ability. (JAC)