In large-scale assessments, some amount of background material is generally collected. Background questionnaires in the National Assessment of Educational Progress are the subject of this report. Most of the questions in NAEP background questionnaires have asked about course taking patterns and course content, but it is argued that the material gathered at present is of dubious quality and that information that is more extensive and valid could be collected. The questions about courses students have taken are often unnecessary or meaningless, and the coverage of courses is absent or incomplete. Information about advanced placement courses is demonstrably invalid, and information about other courses is often vague. Specific solutions, aimed at greater accuracy and detail, are proposed for these problems. A second major problem area is in the language that is used on the background questionnaires for fourth grade, which may be too difficult for the average student. Field testing these proposed changes is discussed. An attachment shows the percentage of 12th graders who report that they have taken advanced placement courses. (SLD)