MicroCAT version 3.0--an integrated test development, administration, and analysis system--is reviewed in this first article of a series on testing software. A framework for comparing testing software is presented. The strength of this package lies in the development, banking, and administration of items composed of text and graphics. (SLD)

Some software packages currently available for item writing and item banking are reviewed. Eleven test-generation and three item-banking packages are listed. Users trained in item response theory can find a great deal of power in a desk-top system. (SLD)

How computers are used to analyze item data is reviewed, and the information that existing item-analysis programs provide is described. Summaries of studies comparing the performance of some of these packages reveal some of their current limitations. Emphasis is on the usefulness to educational practice of these packages. (SLD)