Outlines procedures for creating tests of knowledge that are consistent with training instruction by using test question formats. General patterns and specific question formats for recall, recognition, and application are given, and examples for creating sets of equivalent test questions are provided. (LRW)

Studies the application of the letter-deletion procedure (LDP), which matches the advantages of both rational deletion and C-Tests and avoids their disadvantages to English-as-a-Second-Language tests. LDP flexibly reduces redundancy in a text by deleting letters in item words according to specified principles. (Author/LMO)

This paper focuses on similarities of optimal design of fixed-form tests, adaptive tests, and testlets within the framework of the general theory of optimal designs. A sequential design procedure is proposed that uses these similarities to obtain consistent estimates for the trait level distribution. (SLD)

Equating a new standard test to an old reference test is considered when samples for equating are not randomly selected from the target population of test takers, identifying two problems from equating from biased samples. An empirical example with data from the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery illustrates the approach. (SLD)

Cites research to support the notion that the time of day in which the SAT is administered has a significant adverse impact on many students taking the test. Suggests that changes in testing procedures (making tests available via computer at any time of the day or year) will serve students. (RS)

The difficulty of various sit-ups tests was estimated using the Rasch Poisson Counts item response theory model. Over 8 weeks, researchers obtained scores on 18 sit-ups tests from 426 university students. Results indicated various sit-ups tests can provide a range of difficulties and variety in forming a sit-ups test bank. (SM)

Discusses effects of test question order on student performance. Addresses (1) differences in the distribution of scores on each form of the examination; (2) effects on the validity of individual examination items; and (3) effects on the reliability of the examination instrument. Concludes that distribution of examination scores may be influenced…

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill medical school uses an objective structured clinical examination as the final exam in physical diagnosis. Since 1987, students and evaluators have shown overwhelming acceptance and support of the test, partly because it is structured for teaching as well as assessment. (Author/MSE)

One hundred seventh and tenth grade tests across several content areas were examined for the presence of six types of test-wiseness cues. Approximately 75 percent of teacher-made and publisher-provided tests contained one or more cued items. The most frequent type of cue was length of option, followed by specific determiners. (Author/JDD)

Conducted two experiments to determine whether scores on computerized test would differ significantly from scores on paper-and-pencil format. College students (Study 1, n=24; Study 2, n=400+) completed the Verbal Reasoning test of the Differential Aptitude Tests. Results showed reduced performance on computerized version of test. Reduced…

Presents two studies applying computerized adaptive testing (CAT) in schools. Compared paper-administered, computer-administered, and CAT modes for administering school achievement and assessment tests. Then compared computerized adaptive aptitude test results with individually administered Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Found…

When English-language standard norms were used for 50 Hispanic Americans given the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (D. Wechsler, 1981) in its Spanish form, normal individuals received scores an average of one standard deviation below "Average." Results support renorming and testing the validity of translations of English language tests.…

Provides information and strategies for helping language teachers know how to prepare students for the new computerized version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Information focuses on changes in scoring and test format. (Author/VWL)

High school students in introductory accounting (n=64) took two combined problem-based and objective tests and a final objective exam. Combined format scores accounted for 62% of variance in achievement. Only the final objective-exam scores were unique predictors of achievement. (SK)

Discusses a procedure for testing the equivalence among different item response formats used in personality and attitude measurement. The procedure is based on the assumption that latent response variables underlie the observed item responses. It uses a nested series of confirmatory factor analysis models based on K. Joreskog's (1971) method for…