ERIC Number: ED395944
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-Apr
Pages: 25
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Reducing Test Form Overlap of the GRE Subject Test in Mathematics Using IRT Triple-Part Equating. GRE Board Professional Report No. 86-14P.
McKinley, Robert L.; Schaeffer, Gary A.
A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using item response theory (IRT) equating to reduce test form overlap of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Subject Test in Mathematics. Monte Carlo methods were employed to compare double-part equating with 20-item common item blocks to triple-part equating with 10-item common item blocks. The two methods were evaluated using a circular design that allowed a form to be equated to itself through a series of other forms. The design was replicated five times. Comparisons between scores on equated forms and scores on the base form indicated that triple-part equating did at least as well as double-part equating. This suggests that it may be reasonable to use IRT equating with the GRE Mathematics Test with smaller common item blocks than are used with the linear equating procedures currently employed, as long as there are more of them. This would result in a substantial reduction in the advantage given to repeat examinees and would significantly decrease the number of items on any one test form affected by compromised security. Items that need to be resolved before the procedure can be implemented are discussed. (Contains 4 figures, 3 tables, and 10 references.) (Author/SLD)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Graduate Record Examinations Board, Princeton, NJ.
Authoring Institution: Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ.
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Graduate Record Examinations
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A