In a replication of an earlier study, a questionnaire with items lacking content and merely containing answer possibilities was administered to a sample of Dutch freshmen psychology students. Subjects showed a preference for positive options over negative options. (Author/JKS)

Individuals, randomly selected from important but diverse community and school groups, rated the tasks tested and the items used in the Mathematical Tests of the Australian Studies in School Performance. For tasks at the basic numeracy level, disagreement was generally insignificant. (Author/SJL)

A subtest of the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test dealing with interpretation of diagrams, tables, and maps (DTM) was studied to see whether the position or other characteristics of test items affected the noted gender differences in results. Results with 116,017 students show an effect of position on gender differences. (SLD)

The underlying structure of the Depression scale of the revised Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) was studied using dichotomous Rasch model and factor analysis with the normative sample of 2,600 subjects. Results reveal two distinct subscales (mental depression and physical depression) in place of a homogenous set of items. (SLD)

Ability estimates obtained from applying finite state score theory, item response models, and classical test theory to score multiple-choice items were compared using responses of 1,230 examinees. Scoring models provided essentially the same ranking of examinees, but ease of use and interpretation support the use of the classical test model. (SLD)

Three different applications of the testlet concept are presented, and the psychometric models most suitable for each application are described. Difficulties that testlets can help overcome include (1) context effects; (2) item ordering; and (3) content balancing. Implications for test construction are discussed. (SLD)

Described is how tests that accompany texts can be effective if items selected relate to topics stressed in class. Identified are problems commonly found in these types of tests and directions on how to improve problem questions. (KR)

Issues in measuring language proficiency of monolingual and bilingual persons are discussed. Psychometric procedures in developing both English- and Spanish-language proficiency instruments are illustrated through development of the New York City Language Assessment Battery, an assessment of proficiency in both languages used to screen eligibility…

Describes and evaluates four assignments used as part of the coursework component of the British General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Business Studies Syllabus A examination. Exercises cover the structure of industry in the local area; communications in the school; marketing techniques; and the establishment of a new business. (LS)

Describes a take-home exam story problem based on stoichiometry. Requires the student to determine the percentage of phosphoric acid in a large container of nitric acid if a man fell into it. Provides assumptions, clues, and an acceptable solution. (MVL)

This study reports on the development and validation of the Attitude toward Science in School Assessment (ATSSA). Reports a low correlation between attitude and achievement tests while a moderate correlation between attitude and course grade. (Author/YP)

Simulated data are used to assess the appropriateness of using separate calibration and between-fit approaches to detecting item bias in the Rasch rating scale model. Results indicate that Type I error rates for the null distribution hold even when there are different ability levels for reference and focal groups. (SLD)

Four mathematics test-item types that may perform differently when calculators are used were assessed using data from 160 high school students attending a summer enrichment program. The effects of testing with and without calculators on testing time, test reliability, item difficulty, and item discrimination were also assessed. (TJH)

This study examined characteristics of multiple-choice reading comprehension tasks suspected of influencing their difficulty, through administration of the California Achievement Tests to 158 deaf college students. Problem components evaluated included manifest content, psychologically salient features, and processing demands. Variation in item…

The development of tools for testing the abilities of students in "interpreting data" is discussed. A longitudinal and cross-sectional study of the responses of examinees and the application of SOLO Taxonomy for the design of structured questions to classify the level of performance of examinees were used to select indicative items. (KR)