Assessment programs like the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) continue to play an important role in the admission decisions of many colleges. In many cases, they also serve a meaningful counseling and guidance function for high schools and colleges. The data reported in this paper suggest that the two programs can…

Grade reports of Southeastern Louisiana University from 1970-71 through 1978-79 were examined to determine whether grade inflation occurred in relation to scores on the American College Testing (ACT) program. Both ACT and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores have been declining nationally, while university registrars report that student grades at the A…

The feasibility of using item response theory (IRT) as a psychometric model for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Aptitude Test was addressed by assessing the reasonableness of the assumptions of item response theory for GRE item types and examinee populations. Items from four forms and four administrations of the GRE Aptitude Test were…

The research leading to the decisions to revise the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE) (beginning in October 1981) is reviewed. The issues discussed include the format of the test (the timing of each section and the number of sections, the content of the sections--especially the analytical section), the scoring procedure for the GRE,…

Activities of the Test Development and Research Office (TEDRO), a division of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), are described. The WAEC is an international educational and professional testing organization established to serve its four member countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. The U.S. Agency for International…

A joint research project between an office of institutional research and the education department at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is described. The study focuses on factors that might affect the scores of NCCU students on the National Teacher's Examination (NTE). The project enabled the education department to begin counseling NCCU…

Tests recently acquired by the Educational Testing Service Test Collection are briefly annotated in this quarterly bulletin. The tests are grouped into these categories: (1) achievement, (2) aptitude, (3) personality, interests, attitudes and opinions, (4) sensory-motor and miscellaneous. Entries of particular interest to those working with…

The value-added approach to the assessment of student outcomes examines actual or inferred changes in students' performance over time. It also attempts to separate the net effects of instruction from previous ability or simple maturation. Others may have different definitions of this concept, and this vagueness causes problems. Suggested ways to…

This quarterly bulletin provides brief annotations for tests recently acquired by the Educational Testing Service Test Collection. The tests are grouped into these categories: (1) achievement, (2) aptitude, (3) personality, interests, attitudes, and opinions, (4) sensory-motor and miscellaneous. Entries of particular interest to those working with…

A report on tests used by California undergraduate institutions and by graduate and professional schools is presented by the California Postsecondary Education Commission. Information is provided on five tests used by undergraduate colleges: the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, the Scholastic…

Three sections describing the Washington Pre-College Test (WPC) are presented. The first, Registration Booklet, is intended for high school students who may take the WPC. It describes the program; provides detailed instructions on completing the answer folder; lists colleges in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho which accept WPC results; and includes…

These quarterly bulletins provide brief annotations of tests recently acquired by the Educational Testing Service Test Collection. The tests are grouped into these categories: (1) achievement, (2) aptitude, (3) personality, interest, attitudes, and opinions, (4) sensory-motor and miscellaneous. Entries of particular interest to those working with…

Plans for the development of The East African Examinations Council (EAEC) are outlined and the feasibility of long-range technical assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) is discussed. The EAEC was established in 1967 by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its purpose is to conduct within East Africa the academic, technical,…

Alaskan students' scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) increased nine points between 1984 and 1985, matching the national gain. These scores marked the fourth year of increases following 17 years of consistently declining scores. Thirty-three percent of Alaska's high school seniors took the SAT in 1985. The combined score of 923 was 17…

The expansion of The West African Examination Council's (WAEC) Test Development and Research Office (TEDRO), from January 1969 through August 1973, is described. The development of TEDRO as an institution was of primary importance; the continuation of test development and educational services was the other major goal during this period of time.…