A major problem in testing the auditory discrimination of disadvantaged youth is their lack of contact with standard dialect, which results in their failure to make categorizations made by standard speakers. (JM)

The motor performance components of 11 tests measuring childhood motor development were analyzed with respect to five criteria listed in the American Psychological Association's Standards for Educational and Psychological Tests. Researchers concluded that the motor tests did not contribute to psychological constructs for early childhood testing.…

Differences in program goals, theory, populations served, methods, duration, staff, and evaluation measures make it difficult to compare the effectiveness of different infant intervention programs. Formative evaluation is suggested as a way of ensuring that programs are being carried out. Where effectiveness is in doubt, process evaluation can…

Much of the debate on testing over the last two decades has centered on issues of equity. In this review of testing and the minority child, the ways in which schools can test and use test results to help all children learn are explained. (Author)

Gains to be had from teaching and testing the topic of comparative economics at the university level in the United Kingdom and the problems posed for examiners are examined. (RM)

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 special preparation curriculum for the analytical section of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Aptitude Test was developed and administered to self-selected GRE candidates. Analyses revealed an effect that stemmed from improved performance on two of the three analytical item types formerly included in the analytical section. (Author/PN)

In an attempt to reinforce the directive role of evidence in current arguments over test coaching, this chapter summarizes research findings from studies of coaching for the Scholastic Aptitude Test in the context of a conceptual analysis of the meaning and likely import of the coachability of such ability tests. (Author/BW)

College students (N=46) enrolled in biology or physical science courses for nonscience majors were studied to determine the correlation of their test scores with test anxiety, sex, grade point average, and self-concept. (PB)

Reports on a study in which passages from children's literature were prepared using cloze and presented to college and elementary school students. Reveals that neither group of students did well on the task. Questions the desirability of using cloze for matching readers to creative writing. (FL)

Curricular strategies for preventing examination anxieties, developed by the University of Newcastle medical school rather than adopting medical or psychological treatment methods for students, are discussed. The changes and students' satisfaction and the school's attitude towards program improvement are reviewed. (Author/MLW)

Investigated the Mathematics Problem Solving (MPS) and Mathematics Concepts (MC) subtests of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills for content and psychometric item bias at grades three, six, and eight. Identified items which favored either males or females. Found no skill classification, item content, or location trends. (Author/JAC)