This three-paper dissertation explores item cluster-based assessments, first in general as it relates to modeling, and then, specific issues surrounding a particular item cluster-based assessment designed. There should be a reasonable analogy between the structure of a psychometric model and the cognitive theory that the assessment is based upon.…

Despite high-stakes applications of assessment findings, assessment data are frequently collected in situations that are of low-stakes to examinees. Because low-stakes tests are of little consequence to the examinees, test-taking motivation and thus the validity of inferences drawn from unmotivated examinees' scores are of concern. The current…