Two methods of item selection were used to select sets of 40 items from a 50-item verbal analogies test, and the resulting item sets were compared for relative efficiency. The BICAL program was used to select the 40 items having the best mean square fit to the one parameter logistic (Rasch) model. The LOGIST program was used to select the 40 items…

A novel scoring procedure was investigated in order to obtain scores from a conventional multiple-choice test that would be free of the guessing component or contain a known guessing component even though examinees were permitted to guess at will. Scores computed with the experimental procedure are based not only on the number of items answered…

The present study was designed to examine whether or not traditional procedures concerning item selection and reliability are both applicable and appropriate for criterion-referenced (CR) tests. It was also designed to examine traditional procedures and those designed especially for CR testing in relation to test variance and item homogeneity.…

Sixty-six medical school applicants responded to both old and new forms of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The results supported the claim that the new MCAT assesses skills not measured by the old MCAT. Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212. (Author/JAC)

The efficacy of Raven's Matrices in the gifted identification process is reviewed, focusing on their reliability, validity, and fairness and comparing them with other intelligence tests. It is concluded that, despite problems with narrowness of scope and standardization practices, these tests provide a useful screening device for intellectually…

Contends that erroneous conclusions concerning intraindividual strengths may result when comparing scaled scores on subtests of The Test of Reading Comprehension. Examination of scaled scores may seem to indicate that a given student has performed better on one subtest than on another when the difference between the two scores is not statistically…

A reliable instrument was developed to identify elementary-age children who have difficulty with time estimation, as indicated by choices on a pencil-and-paper test. The instrument was used to compare performances of learning disabled and nondisabled children. Findings provide empirical support for temporal difficulties among learning disabled…

Concludes that grade level scores on the Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Basic Skills are consistent with those of the Wide Range Achievement Test. (FL)

A 100-item five-choice multiple choice (MC) biology final exam was converted to multiple choice true-false (MTF) form to yield two content-parallel test forms comprised of the two item types. Students found the MTF items easier and preferred MTF over MC; the MTF subtests were more reliable. (Author/GK)

For six tests, coefficient delta as an index for internal optimality is computed. Internal optimality is defined as the magnitude of risk of the decision procedure with respect to the true score. Results are compared with an alternative index (coefficient kappa) for assessing the consistency of decisions. (Author/JKS)

Results of the Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Concepts subtests of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills were analyzed for sex bias. On the whole, little evidence for sex bias was found for the four subtests and three grade levels examined. (Author)

Three correlation matrices (PEARSON, POLYCHORIC, and TOBIT) were used to obtain reliability estimates on ordered polytomous variable models. A Monte Carlo study with different levels of variable asymmetry and 400 sample correlation matrices demonstrated that the PEARSON matrix did not perform as well as did the other 2 matrices. (SLD)

Results from a survey of 62 students (ages 8-13) with mild mental retardation and 62 students without retardation indicated that high percentages of both groups understood what loneliness means; a loneliness questionnaire yielded satisfactory internal reliability; and boys but not girls with mental retardation reported more loneliness than did…

Structural equation models of the same construct collected on different occasions are evaluated in 2 studies involving the evaluation of 157 college instructors over 8 years and data for over 2,200 high school students over 4 years for the Youth in Transition Study. Results challenge overreliance on simplex models. (SLD)

Using videos of physiotherapy students, compared two assessment forms for validity and reliability (the first currently used by an academic program and the second developed from practitioners' perceptions of competence). Also investigated effects of training on assessment decisions. Found wide differences in individual ability to assess students…