As post-secondary institutions assume more responsibility for the language abilities of their graduates, more attention is being paid to post-admission language support to enhance student success. Previous research has indicated that a post-admission language diagnostic assessment procedure, when coupled with language support services, can be an…

In this study, the literature in disability and higher education was examined, with a specific focus on assessment instruments. Published articles (n = 203) on development of new or refinement of existing instruments were reviewed for traits measured and psychometric rigor reported. Findings showed instruments are intended for professionals and…

There is a lively discussion on how to evaluate competence-based higher education in both evaluation and competence research. The instruments used are often limited to course evaluation or specific competences, taking a rather narrow perspective. Furthermore, the instruments often comprise predetermined competences that cannot be adapted to higher…

Administered the Luscher Color Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to 42 counseling graduate students. Personality reports were written from test results, and the degree of agreement was rated. Results showed little agreement between the two, suggesting cautious use of the Color Test. (JAC)

Appplied formulae for estimating the validity of random short forms to Reynolds' data on six short forms of the Marlowe-Crowne. Results showed some, but not all, of the short forms considered by Reynolds were appreciably better than random. (JAC)

Examined the ability of CAGE, an established screening test for alcoholism, to identify accurately problem drinkers among college students (N=582). Found that the CAGE did not perform well enough to serve as a screening tool for problem drinking within the college student population. (Author/ABL)

Reports on the use of a screening instrument for dissociative behaviors in two separate but related studies. Results of a concurrent validity study between the Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC) and the Child Behavior Checklist indicate significant, positive correlations. A second study found that parent-completed CDC scores differentiate between…

The Shipley-Institute of Living Scale (SILS) was used as a criterion to evaluate the Quick Word Test (QWT) and the Wide Range Vocabulary Test Form B (WRVT-B). Testing 50 college students, the correlations were .68 with QWT, .73 with WRVT-B, and .81 between those two tests. (CTM)

Two tests of the Descriptive Tests of Mathematics Skills (DTMS) were employed for screening and placement of business majors. For calculus and statistics courses, the average performance level of the students who had passed the DTMS was significantly higher than that for students who had successfully remediated their identified weakness.…

Decision theory is a useful method for assessing the effectiveness of the components of a course placement system. The effectiveness of placement tests or other variables in identifying underprepared students is described by the conditional probability of success in a standard course. Estimating the conditional probability of success is discussed.…

Describes the writing of a new placement test and provides detailed results of a validity study on the test. Concludes that placement testing does not work very well. Suggests that undergraduate mathematics departments consider using existing data rather than giving a separate placement test. (Author/KHR)

A study of the usefulness of a comprehensive placement examination for individualizing the experiential course sequence for pharmacy students and providing needed remediation in selected subject areas found that the test could not be supported for preclinical screening but might be useful for identifying students needing remediation. (MSE)

Sequential, standardized patient-based tests were given to medical students at the University of Maastricht (Netherlands); the first test was a screening test that evaluated the efficiency/validity of cutoff scores. Findings indicated that stringent pass/fail cutoff scores on the screening test produced optimal results. Fewer than 0.2 percent of…

Although the primary use of the speaking section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language™ Internet-based test (TOEFL® iBT Speaking test) is to inform admissions decisions at English medium universities, it may also be useful as an initial screening measure for international teaching assistants (ITAs). This study provides criterion-related…

The Nelson Denny Reading Test (NDRT) is probably the most widely used test of reading comprehension at the college level in the nation. However, reviews of the test, as well as recent reports of its failure to adequately measure gain or lack of gain of college students enrolled in reading improvement courses, do not support the popularity it has…