Under positive referral conditions testers obtained higher IQ scores, rated the child more favorably on Factors Affecting Test Performance and made more favorable recommendations than under negative referral conditions, thus supporting the hypothesis that the referral agent does influence the testing situation. (Author)

Considerable judgment is required in scoring some McCarthy subtests, as this research showed the results of the Draw-A-Design test to be disagreeably scored. Oral Vocabulary and Draw-A-Child tests offered few scoring discrepancies between examiners. Two different studies and protocols are discussed. (CE)

This book discusses how to obtain test scores and, in particular, how to obtain test scores from tests that consist of a combination of multiple choice and open-ended questions. The strength of the book is that scoring solutions are presented for a diversity of real world scoring problems. (SLD)

In this article, we introduce a person-fit statistic called the hierarchy consistency index (HCI) to help detect misfitting item response vectors for tests developed and analyzed based on a cognitive model. The HCI ranges from -1.0 to 1.0, with values close to -1.0 indicating that students respond unexpectedly or differently from the responses…

This study assesses the adequacy of item gradients and ceilings for the subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson III (WJ III) Cognitive and Achievement batteries, including the Diagnostic Supplement, in their use with participants ages 16 to 25 and Grades 10 to 18. Of the 52 subtests, 18 contain adequate item gradients and ceilings for the entire age and…

Author questions the widespread use of standardized tests as measures of academic potential, aptitude and ability. The Graduate Record Exam and the Admission Test for Graduate Study in Business are two examples used. (HB)

This study evolved from a practical field situation that dictated an item format change. The item type in question is a variety of the multiple true-false item, widely used in state and municipal civil service examinations. Items are produced, not by combining pairs of independent true-false items, but as a means of salvaging not quite adequate…

A reply to an article by Hunter and Schmidt criticizing the author's earlier work on test bias. (MP)

The article argues with Darlington's assertion that the rational approach can reconcile differing viewpoints. (MP)

Considered are three components of comprehension (literal meaning, presupposition and inference, and illocutionary acts), and reviewed are types of clinical instruments used to measure language comprehension in children. (Author/CL)

The author rebuts two points in an article from the November issue that criticized those who criticize standardized tests. (IRT)