In mastery testing a linear relationship between an optimal passing score and test length is presented with a new optimization criterion. The usual indifference zone approach, a binomial error model, decision errors, and corrections for guessing are discussed. Related results in sequential testing and the latent class approach are included. (CM)

A series of behavioral expectation scale applications were analyzed in an attempt to point out an appropriate number of dimensions to be included in such studies. Results reflected the problems of dimension interdependence when the number of dimensions exceeds nine. (Author/JKS)

Interrelated analyses were conducted with more than 4,000 college students to examine the reliability and validity of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and to develop and validate a short version of the scale. Results provide moderate support for the reliability and validity of both the TPQ and the short form. (SLD)

This research examines the effect of increased testing time by comparing the four performance indices of randomly equivalent examinee subpopulations on sections of similar content and difficulty administered at different times on three SAT administrations. A variety of analyses were used in this study and found no evidence that the current SAT…

The National Conference of Bar Examiners commissioned American College Testing, Inc., to help them in the development and evaluation of a performance test for use in bar admissions decisions. Because it was recognized that candidate perceptions would provide valuable information, a candidate-perception questionnaire was developed to be…

Two approaches to criterion-referenced test construction are compared. Classical test theory is based on the practice of random sampling from a well-defined domain of test items; latent trait theory suggests that the difficulty of the items should be matched to the achievement level of the student. In addition to these two methods of test…

The viewpoint is expressed that adding to test reliability by either selecting a more homogeneous set of items, restricting the range of item difficulty as closely as possible to the most efficient level, or increasing the number of items will not add to test validity and that there is considerable danger that efforts to increase reliability may…

Addressing the shortcomings of classical item statistics for selecting criterion-referenced test items, this paper describes an optimal item selection procedure utilizing item response theory (IRT) and offers examples in which random selection and optimal item selection methods are compared. Theoretical advantages of optimal selection based upon…

In computerized adaptive testing (CAT), new or experimental items are frequently administered alongside operational tests to gather the pretest data needed to replenish and replace item pools. The two basic strategies used to combine pretest and operational items are embedding and appending. Variable-length CATs are preferred because of the…

Computer simulations were run to measure the relationship between testlet validity and factors of item pool size and testlet length for both adaptive and linearly constructed testlets. Making a testlet adaptive yields only modest increases in aggregate validity because of the peakedness of the typical proficiency distribution. (Author/SLD)

Expert systems can be used to aid decisionmaking. A computerized adaptive test is one kind of expert system, although not commonly recognized as such. A new approach, termed EXSPRT, was devised that combines expert systems reasoning and sequential probability ratio test stopping rules. Two versions of EXSPRT were developed, one with random…

When criterion-referenced tests are used to assign examinees to states reflecting their performance level on a test, the better known methods for determining test length, which consider relationships among domain scores and errors of measurement, have their limitations. The purpose of this paper is to present a computer system named TESTLEN, which…

The purpose of the present research was to study, systematically, the "goodness-of-fit" of the one-, two-, and three-parameter logistic models. We studied, using computer-simulated test data, the effects of four variables: variation in item discrimination parameters, the average value of the pseudo-chance level parameters, test length,…

Discusses the problem of and solution to anxiety in school testing situations. Focuses on Hill and his colleagues' long term program of research. Describes school intervention studies where new evaluation procedures and teaching programs have been developed to help students perform better in evaluative situations. (CB)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) program is exploring a change in Section 3 of the TOEFL test that would replace the vocabulary subpart with additional reading comprehension questions. This study investigated the proposed revision in terms of the length and timing that would be necessary to address concerns of test speededness of…