The study explored the relationship of eye-hand coordination differentiated by three levels and two answer marking formats (test booklet and answer sheet). Simple effects tests indicated significant differences in favor of the booklet format for low and middle range eye-hand groups but not for the high group. (DWH)

Finds some evidence that out-of-level tests are more suitable and reliable for poor readers than are on-level tests. (FL)

Indicates that the format and use of the informal reading inventory need to be modified in order to address recent research findings of schema theory, text analysis, and metacognition. (FL)

The strengths and weaknesses of five typical machine-scored test formats are discussed, specific recommendations for format selection are made, and reasons for the importance of format are examined. (MSE)

Determined effects of various methods and formats of administering a Piagetian task on college students' (N=376) performance. Concludes neither method nor format influenced subject performance; and this lack of influence is similar for various combinations of method and format. Importance of this finding and implications for teachers are…

Using three different forms of a 61-item administrator/supervisor questionnaire, the effects of both order and grouping were examined in separate analyses. For low-inference type items, factor structures obtained from survey data appear to be affected by item order, and, to a lesser extent, by grouping items. (Author/PN)

The Development of Teaching Competencies course was developed for an undergraduate teacher training program and covered strategies of teaching and learning; high level thinking and personal growth; and evaluation methods and examinations. The Eclectic Examination was developed for use concurrently as a student evaluation device and for a formative…

Describes a study of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, each presented in the native language and in the second language, on the same second language text. Different methods resulted in different scores. Some methods were found to be more difficult than others and to have a greater effect on students of low-level proficiency. (SED)

Reports that reading performance on a standardized test is better when the text is displayed in print, rather than on a computer display screen. (HOD)

Investigated the validity of the assumption that arranging items in objective tests in order of increasing difficulty increases student motivation and produces more reliable tests. Results indicate that test reliability was largely independent of item sequence. (Author/JN)

Results from three cognitive tests revealed few sex differences among 11-year-old students (N=2065). Neither question style (multiple-choice or structured) nor content (masculine or feminine) has any great effect on sex differences in performance. However, boys performed markedly better than girls on tests of spatial ability and mechanical…

Indicates that the language in which a multiple-choice question is couched may be a significant factor in student performance. Effects of changing key words, terms of quantity, negative to positive forms, and from passive to active voice are discussed. Also discusses the effect of rewording long or complex questions. (JN)

A study was conducted to compare the psychometric qualities of two forms of an identical survey: one administered in a paper-and-pencil format and the other administered in Web format. The survey addressed the topic of college course anxiety and used to survey a sample of 236 undergraduate students. The psychometric qualities investigated included…

A group of fourth-grade students with disabilities participating in statewide mathematics assessments in the spring of 2001 (n=570) was given a new assessment focused on specifically modified state curricular standards defined for students with disabilities. A block of items from that assessment was also given to students taking the general…

Large-scale testing is dominated by the multiple-choice question format. Widespread use of the format is due, in part, to the ease with which multiple-choice items can be scored automatically. This paper examines automatic scoring procedures for an alternative item type: figural response. Figural response items call for the completion or…