In many African countries tests used as a selection examination for entrance to secondary and higher levels of education do not have content validity. The practices and problems of test development in Africa are discussed. The advantages of domain-referenced tests are examined. (RM)

Focuses on the discussion of whether "none of the above" (NOTA) questions should be used on tests. Discusses a study in which a protocol analysis was conducted on written statements of examinees while answering NOTA items. Explains that a multiple-choice test was given to university students finding that NOTA options seem to be more attractive.…

Surveys the trait anxiety profile and preference concerning types of examinations of preservice science teachers. Reports that the students prefer examinations on understanding and analyzing rather than on knowing and remembering, and that students' anxiety states correlate with the type of examination and sex. (Author)

Suggestions for organizing the objective structured clinical examination for medical students and physicians address selection of competencies to be evaluated, number, type, and duration of examination stations, use of examiners, clarity of instructions, test administration, resource requirements, interstation signals, and recordkeeping. (MSE)

Focusing on the relationship between performance on reading tests and dictionary use, this study confirms a previous finding that dictionary availability does not significantly affect test scores; it does, however, lengthen test completion time. The authors discuss experimental conditions, test item types, usability of particular dictionary types,…

The study investigated the attitudes, perceptions, emotional reactions, and affective dispositions of 100 students at the University of Haifa (Israel) toward various test formats, item types, and methods of test administration. The use of examinee feedback systems in college student evaluation, applications of feedback inventories for assessing…

Provides an overview of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Psychology test focusing on the scoring system for the GRE Psychology test, who prepares the test and how the test is prepared, and the usefulness of the GRE Psychology test. Explores some future directions for the test. (CMK)

Examined the development of the word knowledge of two groups of advanced learners of French as a second language by means of a slightly revised version of a particular test format. Studied the type of distractor most suited to the participants, distinguished the role of three types of associations, and linked qualitative aspects of word knowledge…

Undergraduates completed a questionnaire after using the Immediate Feedback Assessment Technique (IFAT), a commercially available answer form for multiple-choice (MC) testing that can be used easily and conveniently with large classes. This simple new technique for MC testing provides immediate feedback for each item in an answer-until-correct…

This volume contains a set of experimental English language vocabulary tests designed to be used with learners of English as a Second Language (ESL). The tests are graded into 6 levels of difficulty and there are 20 tests at each level. Teachers can use the tests to provide a rough lexical profile of individual students, or to monitor the progress…

This study analyzed and tested the equivalence of Forms A and B of the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST). In designing the CCTST, Form A was composed of 34 items from a bank of 200. To develop a parallel measure, Form B was developed by rewriting 28 of the 34 items and rearranging their order. Study participants were all entering…

This paper focuses on item design considerations faced by instructional designers and evaluators when using computer videodisc delivery systems as a means of assessing learner comprehension and competencies. Media characteristics of various interactive computer/videodisc training systems are briefly discussed as well as reasons for using such…

This guide book was developed for use by school staff, parents, and students. It outlines strategies and test-taking skills which may be taught in the classroom. The guide provides sample instruments to determine what students know about test taking, and practice tests at the elementary and secondary level. Time management hints for test takers…

Argues that instruction in thinking skills must be regularly assessed in the classroom. Offers an example of a basic format for testing thinking skills. Concludes that teachers must test thinking skills if such skills are to be valued by students. (JDH)

Reviews research dealing with test wiseness and concludes that teachers and others who administer tests and those who review results should consider the degree to which test wiseness characteristics might have been operative had a planned effort been undertaken to provide special instruction. (FL)