Reviews Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised (PIAT-R), a revision of the 1970 PIAT. Describes administration and scoring criteria, psychometric properties, and new features of test design. Emphasizes implications for the practitioner. Concludes that PIAT-R may be useful screening tool when general information concerning student achievement…

Discusses microcomputer-based test types that can measure learning of classroom content: (1) objective examination, (2) hands-on examination, (3) power examination, and (4) take-home examination. Recommends that a combination of power, objective, and take-home examinations achieves representative results with a minimum loss of class time. (CH)

Discusses several statistical and substantive criteria that can be used to choose between parametric and nonparametric tests. Presents a non-parametric test capable of testing a number of statistical hypotheses using existing computer packages. Provides recommendations encouraging researchers to routinely use nonparametric tests in their data…

Contends that the Speech Sounds Perception Test form (Adult and Midrange versions) is structured such that correct responses can be determined rationally. If a patient identifies and responds according to that structure, the validity of the test is compromised. Posttest interview is suggested as a simple solution. (Author/JAC)

The authors discuss the new essay requirement on the General Educational Development Test. Topics covered include scoring, expected difficulty, and how test preparatory classes can help students do well on the essay. (CH)

Three ethical-legal case incidents involving computer-assisted psychodiagnostic assessment in the schools are presented. Each case is analyzed in terms of applicable laws, ethical codes, and standards for professional practice. (Author)

Discusses design, development, and evaluation of scales used in counseling psychology research. Describes methods of scale construction including the Thurstone, Q-sort, rank-order methods, Likert, semantic differential, Guttman, Rasch, and external criterion methods. Presents ways of evaluating newly developed scales. Discusses measurement versus…

The authors discuss changes that will appear in the 1988 edition of the General Educational Development (GED) test. Changes include (1) a focus on comprehensive, integrated skills; (2) a need for highly developed thinking skills; (3) use of a computer technology theme; (4) writing assessments; and (5) changes in content areas. (CH)

Addresses common pitfalls in homogeneous scale construction in clinical and social psychology. Offers suggestions about item writing, answer scale formats, data analysis procedures, and overall scale development strategy. Emphasizes effective use of factor-analytic methods to select items for scales and to determine its proper location in…

Explains the conceptual background and potential use of the Self-Directed Search (SDS): Computer Version (CV), and discusses its relationship with the paper version. Operations, reports, technical aspects, and distinguishing characteristics of the SDS:CV are described. The SDS Main Menu is appended. (Author/NB)

Teacher-made tests are an important tool in formative and summative evaluation of learning. This evaluation instrument is designed to aid teachers as they work with tests in the classroom. Questions are included regarding planning, construction, administration, scoring, analysis, and use of test results. (Author)

Examines some of the policy implications for the proposed assessment systems to replace multiple-choice tests in education as part of educational reform movement. Notes that, like multiple-choice formats, the origins and assumptions of performance assessment methods have implications for the usefulness of the data that result. (Author/NB)