Many scholars compared various item discrimination indices in real or simulated data. Item discrimination indices, such as item-total correlation, item-rest correlation, and IRT item discrimination parameter, provide information about individual differences among all participants. However, there are tests that aim to select a very limited number…

Purpose: Working memory and linguistic knowledge are highly intertwined in language tasks. Verbal working memory in particular has been studied as a potential constraint on language performance. This, in turn, highlights the need for a clinical assessment tool that will assist clinicians in understanding individual children's performance in…

Research has found that the "a"-stratified item selection strategy (STR) for computerized adaptive tests (CATs) may lead to insufficient use of high a items at later stages of the tests and thus to reduced measurement precision. A refined approach, unequal item selection across strata (USTR), effectively improves test precision over the…

To efficiently assess multiple psychological constructs and to minimize the burden on respondents, psychologists increasingly use shortened versions of existing tests. However, compared to the longer test, a shorter test version may have a substantial impact on the reliability and the validity of the test scores in psychological research and…

The full version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) (S. Heaton and others, 1993) was compared to a 64-card version (WCST-64) using normative data and results from 350 neuropsychological patients. The WCST-64 was found useful only for respondents obtaining five or more categories by the end of the first deck. (SLD)

The Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML) (D. Sheslow and W. Adams, 1990) was given to 51 children. The General Memory Index (GMI) of the WRAML was compared with a short form of the WRAML, the Memory Screening Index (MSI). The MSI was higher than the GMI in 41 of 51 cases. (SLD)

Studied the factor structure of the Need for Cognition Scale (NFC) (J. Cohen, E. Scotland, and D. Wolfe, 1955) (short form) with samples of 510 and 697 Australian adults. Results support the use of the short version of the NFC with Australian samples. (SLD)

A brief version of the instrument developed by S. Schwartz (1992, 1994) to measure the structure and content of human values was developed. Studies with 199 adults and 420 adults support the reliability of scores produced by the brief inventory's four three-item scales. Uses of the brief form are discussed. (SLD)

The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) (A. S. Kaufman and N. L. Kaufman, 1990) was compared with short forms of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised (WAIS-R) using results from 64 referrals to a neuropsychology service. Advantages of each test are noted and their use discussed. (SLD)

A study investigated optimal length of screening tests used to sort out medical students needing to take a full-length performance-based standardized-patient test from those not needing it. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined a good length is one-third the full test, with cutoff just above the mean case pass level. (Author/MSE)

The Satz-Mogel Abbreviation of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised (WAIS-R) was compared with a 7-subtest short form of 130 healthy and 40 neurologically impaired older adults. Both short forms were found similar for normal or impaired adults in comparison with the full WAIS-R. (SLD)

This paper presents a method for estimating the accuracy and consistency of classifications based on test scores. The scores can be produced by any scoring method, including the formation of a weighted composite. The estimates use data from a single form. The reliability of the score is used to estimate its effective test length in terms of…

Eight subtests were selected from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Third Edition (WISC-III) to make a short form for clinical use. Results with the 2,200 children from the WISC-III standardization sample indicated the adequate reliability and validity of the short form for clinical use. (SLD)

Validity and reliability were calculated from data in the standardization sample of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised for 565 proposed short forms. Time saved in comparison with use of the long form was estimated. The most efficient combinations were generally those composed of subtests that were quick to administer. (SLD)

The clinical utility of using fewer than 12 trials of the Selective Reminding Test, a task to assess verbal memory, was studied with 100 cardiac patients and 100 brain injury patients. Results suggest that as few as 6 trials might be adequate, providing information consistent with that from 12 trials. (SLD)