The effect of stratified sampling of items on the estimation of test score distribution parameters by multiple matrix sampling was studied. Item difficulty and/or interitem correlations were the bases of stratification. Various item iniverses were created by computer simulation and sampled according to several plans. The results indicate that…

A subject by item matrix of test responses is shown to be a useful heuristic in criterion referenced and norm referenced test analysis, and in the teaching of measurement. The pattern of responses within the matrix provides indications of item interactions, weak deceptors, and conventional test statistics. The strong visual analogy between the…