Three ethical-legal case incidents involving computer-assisted psychodiagnostic assessment in the schools are presented. Each case is analyzed in terms of applicable laws, ethical codes, and standards for professional practice. (Author)

Three experiments with 220 undergraduates generating or exposed to misspellings between two successive spelling tests indicated that experience with misspellings can be detrimental to subsequent performance. People may store multiple spelling versions of some words. Techniques using incorrect spellings are questionable methods of teaching or…

Examined the equivalence of two versions of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) using four combinations of paper-and-pencil and computer administrations with college student subjects (N=75). Found slightly better test-retest reliability for the computer-based SCII. (Author/ABL)

LISREL maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analyses assessed the effects of grouped and random formats on convergent and discriminant validity of two sets of questionnaires--job characteristics scales and satisfaction measures--each administered to 80 college students. The grouped format was superior, and the usefulness of LISREL confirmatory…

Results of 96 theoretical/empirical studies were reviewed to see if they support a taxonomy of 43 rules for writing multiple-choice test items. The taxonomy is the result of an analysis of 46 textbooks dealing with multiple-choice item writing. For nearly half of the rules, no research was found. (SLD)

Assessed equivalence of paper-and-pencil and computer versions of the Self-Directed Search (SDS) for 62 college students. The results showed a significant positive correlation in SDS scores for the two SDS forms; however, users strongly preferred the computer format. (Author)

Composite reliability and standard errors of measurement were computed for prorated Verbal, Performance, and Full-Scale intelligence quotient (IQ) scores from a seven-subtest short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Results with 1,880 adults (standardization sample) indicate that this form is as reliable as the complete test.…

Examines the role of differentiated papers in Mode One Business Studies tests in promoting the goals of the United Kingdom's General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). Explores the matching of candidates to papers, targeting papers, the nature of questions asked, and grading. Concludes that the technique allows students to advance through…

A comprehensive review is given of evidence, with a bearing on the recommendation to avoid use of complex multiple choice (CMC) items. Avoiding Type K items (four primary responses and five secondary choices) seems warranted, but evidence against CMC in general is less clear. (SLD)

Describes interactive computer quizzes on international business developed by the Center for Productive Communication at Texas Christian University's M.J. Neeley School of Business. Explains how to produce quizzes for classroom use. (RS)

A University of Adelaide (Australia) study investigated the effect of administering identical stations to different classes over a 12-year period within the objective structured clinical examination component of a final-year medical school examination. Repeat administrations correlated with improved student performance over time. (Author/MSE)

Describes changes being made in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and other standardized tests. Highlights include a history of standardized college entrance testing; the change process of the SAT; descriptions of the new SAT I Reasoning Tests and SAT II Subject Tests; comparisons between the old and the new SAT; and future possibilities. (LRW)

A review of five recent studies concludes that on multiple-choice tests, changing uncertain answers improves results; testing plus feedback produces more learning than additional study time; students learn and retain more when they are tested more often; and question and completion formats are equally acceptable for multiple-choice items. (KS)

Discusses nine factors affecting the relationship between learning and test performance that can be controlled by the teacher: time on task, level of learning, question format, number of questions, inclusion of past work, difficulty level, grouping, use of new items, and difficulty distribution. (SR)

Describes the dual-focus approach to creating bilingual measures. This approach includes indigenous researchers from the culture studied as members of a team to develop a concept-driven, rather than translation-driven, research plan and protocol. Illustrates the approach with examples of creating new measures in Spanish and English. (SLD)