Practice examinations developed at the ACS Examinations Institute ask students to self-report mental effort when answering items. This self-reported mental effort together with performance can be represented in the form of a cognitive efficiency graph for each student giving information on the utilization of cognitive resources and content…

Using multiple versions of an assessment has the potential to introduce item environment effects. These types of effects result in version dependent item characteristics (i.e., difficulty and discrimination). Methods to detect such effects and resulting implications are important for all levels of assessment where multiple forms of an assessment…

When describing motion in physics, the selection of a frame of reference is crucial. The graph of a moving object can look quite different based on the frame of reference. In recent years, various tests have been developed to assess the interpretation of kinematic graphs, but none of these tests have specifically addressed differences in reference…

Systems thinking (ST) is an essential competence for future life and biology learning. Appropriate assessment is critical for collecting sufficient information to develop ST in biology education. This research offers an ST framework based on a comprehensive understanding of biological systems, encompassing four skills across three complexity…

This paper describes the design and evaluation of the Organic chemistry Representational Competence Assessment (ORCA). Grounded in Kozma and Russell's representational competence framework, the ORCA measures the learner's ability to "interpret," "translate," and "use" six commonly used representations of molecular…

This study aimed to develop a standardised instrument for diagnosing science misconceptions in primary school children. Following a developmental research approach using the 4-D model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate), 100 four-tier multiple choice items were constructed. Content validity was established through expert evaluation by six…

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable multiple-choice achievement test for the subject area of ecology. The study was conducted within the framework of exploratory sequential design based on mixed research methods, and the study group consisted of a total of 250 middle school students studying at the sixth and seventh grade level. In…

In this study, it was aimed to develop an achievement test taking into account the subject acquisitions of the sound and properties unit in the sixth-grade science course. In the test development phase, firstly, literature review for the study was conducted. Then, 30 multiple choice questions in align with the subject acquisition in the 2018…

Numerous studies compared the effectiveness of various formats of video-based teaching, yet their focus has primarily been on relatively straightforward content, such as concepts and basic procedures. Research on the effectiveness of teaching complex content through different formats of videos remains limited. This study addresses this gap by…

The main goal of this study was to validate the strategy for the assessment of the cognitive complexity of chemical kinetics exam items. The strategy included three steps: 1) assessment of the difficulty of concepts, 2) assessment of distractor value, and 3) assessment of concepts' interactivity. One of the tasks was to determine whether there…

This study presents the development and validation of a novel multiple-choice test designed to assess university students' conceptual understanding of electric field, force, and flux. The test of understanding of electric field, force, and flux was constructed based on the results of previous studies using a phenomenographic approach to classify…

The biology education literature includes compelling assertions that unfamiliar problems are especially useful for revealing students' true understanding of biology. However, there is only limited evidence that such novel problems have different cognitive requirements than more familiar problems. Here, we sought additional evidence by using…

Organic chemistry is a class well known to be difficult and necessary for many careers in the sciences, and as a result, has garnered interest in researching ways to improve student learning and comprehension. One potential way involves using eye tracking techniques to understand how students visually examine questions. Organic chemistry involves…

The study focuses on assessing the proficiency levels of higher education students, specifically the physics achievement test (PHY 101) at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). This test, like others, evaluates various aspects of knowledge and skills simultaneously. However, relying on traditional models for such tests can result in…

Understanding particle motion in force fields (PMFF), which encompasses the nature of forces and the relationship between force and motion, is fundamental to mastering mechanics and electromagnetism. Effectively solving PMFF-related problems requires advanced reasoning skills and the ability to apply knowledge across diverse contexts. Despite…