Test materials in English and social studies, reflecting Black and White culture, were developed and administered to Black and White high school students. Analyses of variance indicated that performance by either group was not affected by Black or White culture content. White examinees scored higher on all tests. (SJL)

The construct validity of reading comprehension test items was studied in a two-stage process. Five characteristics of task difficulty were defined and a heterogeneous set of 52 items were rated for these characteristics. Then correlations were obtained between ratings and item difficulty data. (CTM)

The scope and nature of sex differences in the Graduate Record Examination are explored by identifying individual test items that differ from the other items in terms of the magnitude of the difference in item difficulty for the sexes. In general, limited evidence of differences was established. (Author/CTM)

A measure of the extent to which the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey (KOIS) was predictive of occupational membership for an individual was correlated with KOIS item and scale scores. Results indicated that the KOIS was a moderator of its own predictive validity. (Author/JKS)

A computer program for analyzing test results is presented. Item analysis and the point biserial correlation coefficient, both generated by this program, are explained and discussed. (MK)

Investigates comprehension of metaphoric compounds. The study asked children and adults to identify referents of various types of these compounds. Findings reveal that 5-year-olds outperformed 3-year-olds but performed significantly less well than adults and that 3-year-olds did not generally interpret the compounds literally. (37 references)…

A study evaluated the use of a "none-of-these" option on multiple-choice achievement tests in undergraduate dental education. Results indicated this option neither enhanced nor diminished examinee performance stability but did reduce the examinee's opportunity to select correct choices by means unrelated to course objectives, thereby enhancing…

The effects were assessed of a test coaching program for urban Black youth, who intended to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), on their performance on quantitative items. Findings for 116 program participants are discussed in relation to the improvement of supplemental instructional programs. (TJH)

Two alternatives to traditional item analysis and reliability estimation procedures are considered for determining the difficulty, discrimination, and reliability of optional items on essay and other tests. A computer program to compute these measures is described, and illustrations are given. (SLD)

Describes an objective test used as the comprehensive examination in a graduate library school and discusses its advantages over essay tests. The topics covered include test construction, the use of item analysis for scoring and test revision, and student reactions to the objective test. (1 reference) (CLB)

Effects of instructional coverage variations on item characteristic functions were examined, using eighth-grade data from the Second International Mathematics Study (1985). Although some differences in item response curves were large, better performance was not necessarily related to greater learning opportunity. Item curve response differences…

The reliability and validity of a cloze procedure used as an English-as-a-second-language (ESL) test in China were improved by applying traditional item analysis and selection techniques. The 'best' test items were chosen on the basis of item facility and discrimination indices, and were administered as a 'tailored cloze.' 29 references listed.…

The reliabilities of 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-choice tests were compared through an incremental-option model on a test taken by 154 high school seniors. Creating the test forms incrementally more closely approximates actual test construction. The nonsignificant differences among the option choices support the three-option item. (SLD)

Describes assessment of children's social behavior using Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and an item analysis protocol (IAP). Examines relationships among mother and father pairs, teacher SSRS ratings, and descriptions of kindergarten through 4th-grade students. Finds mothers' and fathers' SSRS frequency and importance ratings for their…

Examines error gravity research design and its theoretical assumptions. Results indicate that investigators have only skimmed the surface of the process of error evaluation, which is shaped by extralinguistic factors. The article concludes that researchers should reconceptualize error gravity research and reassess earlier studies to confirm or…