The development of a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) for operational use begins with several important steps, such as creating a large-size item bank, piloting the items on a sizable and representative sample of examinees, dimensionality assessment of the item bank, and estimation of item parameters. Among these steps, testing the dimensionality…

Automated Essay Scoring (AES) technologies provide innovative solutions to score the written essays with a much shorter time span and at a fraction of the current cost. Traditionally, AES emphasized the importance of capturing the "coherence" of writing because abundant evidence indicated the connection between coherence and the overall…

Automated Essay Scoring (AES) using neural networks has helped increase the accuracy and efficiency of scoring students' written tasks. Generally, the improved accuracy of neural network approaches has been attributed to the use of modern word embedding techniques. However, which word embedding techniques produce higher accuracy in AES systems…

Digital administration of assessments allows for the collection of process data indices, such as response time, which can serve as indicators of rapid-guessing and examinee test-taking effort. Setting a time threshold is essential to distinguish effortful from effortless behavior using item response times. Threshold identification methods may…

The purpose of this study was to develop predictive models of student test-taking engagement in computerized formative assessments. Using different machine learning algorithms, the models utilize student data with item responses and response time to detect aberrant test behaviors such as rapid guessing. The dataset consisted of 7,602 students…

The study aims to introduce catIRT tools which facilitates researchers' Item Response Theory (IRT) and Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) simulations. catIRT tools provides an interface for mirt and catR packages through the shiny package in R. Through this interface, researchers can apply IRT calibration and CAT simulations although they do not…

Natural Language Processing (NLP) offers methods for understanding and quantifying the similarity between written documents. Within the testing industry these methods have been used for automatic item generation, automated scoring of text and speech, modeling item characteristics, automatic question answering, machine translation, and automated…

The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed a renewed interest in Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), not only as a test availability measure but as a necessity to maintain business continuity. Many certification organizations have correspondingly provided LRP as an option for candidates. This study describes a retrospective, observational pilot study…

Technology-Enhanced Items (TEIs) have been purported to be more motivating and engaging to test takers than traditional multiple-choice items. The claim of enhanced engagement, however, has thus far received limited research attention. This study examined the rates of rapid-guessing behavior received by three types of items (multiple-choice,…

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted assessment models that were commonplace in the testing industry for decades. As a response to this disturbance, remote proctoring has emerged as a promising and potentially sound alternative to offer examinations, while adhering to public health authority guidelines. However, validity evidence in support of…

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, many credentialing organizations have incorporated online remote administration of their examinations to enable continuity of their programs. This paper describes a research study examining several high stakes credentialing examination programs that utilized mixed delivery modes, including online remote…

When developing a digital test, one of the first decisions that need to be made is which type of Computer-Based Test (CBT) to develop. Six different CBT types are considered here: linear tests, automatically generated tests, computerized adaptive tests, adaptive learning environments, educational simulations, and educational games. The selection…

Little evidence exists regarding students' actual use of testing time in naturalistic settings, particularly in the context of state accountability assessments. This study investigates students' test completion time and performance in the context of a statewide, English Language Arts and Mathematics computer-based assessment administered in grades…

As assessments move from traditional paper-pencil administration to computer-based administration, many testing programs are incorporating alternative item types (AITs) into assessments with the goals of measuring higher-order thinking, offering insight into problem-solving, and representing authentic real-world tasks. This paper explores multiple…

With the shift to next generation digital assessments, increased attention has focused on Technology-Enhanced Assessments and Items (TEIs). This study evaluated the feasibility of a high-fidelity digital assessment item response format, which allows students to solve mathematics questions on a tablet using a digital pen. This digital ink approach…