This report consists of three sections, the first of which is a discussion of placement testing. It is maintained that the strengths and weaknesses of a tested population cannot be determined by a single composite test--yet, many institutions place students in beginning courses on the basis of such limited information. To assess basic capabilities…

A number of strategies are described for adapting ability test items to individual differences in ability levels of testees. Each strategy consists of a different set of rules for selecting the sequence of test items to be administered to a given testee. Advantages and disadvantages of each strategy are discussed, and research issues unique to the…

The Information Exchange Procedures (IEP) developed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) are a set of standard definitions and procedures for collecting information about disciplines and student degree programs, outcomes of instructional programs, and general institutional characteristics. These definitions and…

The National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS) is a large-scale longitudinal survey effort. The current data tapes contain base-year (1972) survey data integrated with first follow-up (1973) survey data. The base-year data consist of responses to a Student Questionnaire, the results of an ability test, and information from…

The National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 was initiated in the spring of 1972. A national probability sample of l8,000 students from 1,070 schools completed a Student Questionnaire dealing with factors related to personal and family background, educational and work experiences, plans, aspirations, attitudes, and opinions.…