The problem of predicting universe scores for samples of examinees based on their responses to samples of items is treated. The measurement model categorizes items according to the cells of a table of test specifications, and the linear function derived for minimizing error variance in prediction uses responses to these categories. (Author/JKS)

Given a loss function, an asymptotic method for optimal test design for a specified target population of examinees is presented. Also, of more practical use, given an existing unidimensional test and target population, a way is presented to find the loss function for which the test is optimal. (NSF)

The existence of criterion-referenced (CR) measurement is questioned in this paper. Despite beliefs that differences exist between two alternative forms of measurement, CR and Norm Referenced (NR), an analysis of philosophical and psychological descriptions of measurement, as well as a growing number of empirical studies, reveal that the common…