The General Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) includes three operational sections that are separately timed and scored. A "no score" is reported if the examinee answers fewer than 80% of the items or if the examinee does not answer all of the items and leaves the section before time expires. The 80%…

Assessment of Baseline Curriculum (ABC Tests) is a locally developed objectives-referenced assessment system that matches the Dallas Independent School System's Baseline Curriculum. Designed for instructional use and not for accountability, a major purpose of the ABC Test is to measure student attainment of objectives in the Mathematics and…

The Multi-Digit (MDT) testing procedure is a computer-scored testing innovation conceptualized in 1982. It is fully compatible with multiple choice and true/false tests well suited for the testing of discreet terms and concepts such as in fill-in-the-blank examinations. The student reads the question and selects the appropriate response from an…

In an adaptive test, the test administrator chooses test items sequentially during the test, in such a way as to adapt test difficulty to examinee ability as shown during testing. An effectively designed adaptive test can resolve the dilemma inherent in conventional test design. By tailoring tests to individuals, the adaptive test can…

This study used a series of simulations to answer questions about the efficacy of adaptive testing raised by empirical studies. The first study showed that for reasonable high entry points, parameters estimated from paper-and-pencil test protocols cross-validated remarkably well to groups actually tested at a computer terminal. This suggested that…

Reports preliminary findings of a study which used a modified Admissible Probability Measurement (APM) test scoring system in the design of computer based instructional management systems. The use of APM for curriculum analysis is discussed, as well as its value in enhancing individualized learning. (Author/LRW)

A study of the reliability of a computer-assisted test of optometric clinical diagnostic skills that uses actual patient cases revealed that the test is most useful when used in conjunction with subjective clinical grading for evaluating problem-solving skills. (MSE)

In every instance in the process of constructing and using a test, the microcomputer can aid the classroom teacher. However, the teacher will not apply the microcomputer to classroom testing without added training both in classroom testing and in using the microcomputer. (BW)

An inexpensive computer-based system supporting mastery instruction is described. Components include an optically scanned card accommodating scores for hand-scored portions of examinations, software for making objective items and scoring, and software for reporting total test scores and designated subscore sets. Subscores can be provided for…

Describes a "gradebook program" capable of recording, editing, recoding, weighting, and scaling multiple choice test scores. (SK)

The relationship of an expert-system-scored constrained free-response item type to multiple-choice and free-response items was studied using data for 614 students on the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) Examination. Implications for testing and the APCS test are discussed. (SLD)

Six papers on the use of partial credit item response theory score models in applied measurement settings are presented. These applications include the scoring of medical certification examinations using computer-based patient simulations, narrative writing tests, and educational diagnosis. (TJH)

Incidents affecting the implementation of large-scale testing programs are described to illustrate associated problems. Issues addressed include creation of test materials, preparation of answer documents, transportation of test materials, scoring and analysis of tests, and dissemination and utilization of test results. (TJH)

Formulating-Hypotheses (F-H) items present a situation and ask the examinee to generate as many explanations for it as possible. This study examined the generalizability, validity, and examinee perceptions of a computer-delivered version of the task. Eight F-H questions were administered to 192 graduate students. Half of the items restricted…

One of the main limitations of the current generation of computer-based tests is its dependency on the multiple-choice item. This research was aimed at extending computer-based testing by bringing limited forms of performance assessment to it in the domain of mathematics. This endeavor involves not only building task types that better reflect…