The purpose of this study was to compare certain characteristics of multiple-choice (MC) and complex multiple-choice (CMC) achievement tests designed to measure knowledge in medical-surgical nursing. Each of 268 junior and senior nursing students from four midwestern schools responded to one of four test forms. MC items were developed by…

In order to screen out items which may be biased against some ethnic group prior to the final selection of items in test construction, a statistical technique for assessing item bias was developed. Based on a theoretical formulation of R. B. Darlington, the method compares the performance of individuals who belong to different ethnic groups, but…

The development and evaluation of an interactive computer-based administration and scoring program for the Slosson Intelligence Test (SIT) is discussed. A computer program successfully developed for administering and scoring the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale is cited to support the feasibility of developing this proposed SIT program. Testing,…

Effects of logically weighting incorrect item options in conventional tests and different scoring functions with confidence tests on reliability and validity were examined. Ninth graders took conventionally administered Verbal and Mathematical Reasoning tests, scored conventionally and by a procedure assigning degree-of-correctness weights to…

A comparison of reliability and validity was made for three testing procedures: 1) responding conventionally to Verbal Ability and Mathematical Reasoning tests; 2) using a confidence weighting response procedure with the same tests; and 3) using the elimination response method. The experimental testing procedures were not psychometrically superior…

This paper discusses the use of tests by American teachers over the past six decades. A representative sample of the research centering on the linkage between testing and teaching is cited. (LMO)

Discusses the gap between the perspectives and practices of (1) teachers in classrooms where writing and reading are being learned and put to good use and (2) those who test students' language competence. Considers ways to narrow this gap, including the notion of teachers acting as tester-researchers. (JD)

Notes some of the conflicts between the use of hands-on science curricula and standardized testing. Discusses the state of testing and the state of science education with regard to the tests. Describes some promising developments in assessment in science education. (TW)

The performance of disabled and non-disabled students on college admissions test were compared. Performance of learning disabled and hearing impaired students appears most discrepant from the norm. Evidence relating to validity and reliability of admissions tests for handicapped and nondisabled examinees suggests no dependable differences in…

Discusses predictive and conceptual validity, reports on two experiments on each type of test validity with relation to language tests, and indicates some problems posed by these two forms of evaluation. (AM)

It is suggested that little attention is given to understanding student concerns about testing: what will be tested, and in what depth. Reexamination is indicated for the purposes of testing, test quality and frequency, and instructor autonomy. Tests are seen as powerful determinants of learning that are often not used appropriately. (MSE)

Selective admissions may become an archaic notion for undergraduate institutions due to intensified competition for enrollments and a marketing mentality in recruiting students. It is likely that technical development of tests will continue on an incremental basis as testing agencies try to meet public criteria of fairness and credibility. (FG)

The Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices and a Piagetian battery were administered to a sample of hearing-impaired elementary school children under six different conditions. Results indicated that scores varied as a function of the degree and type of feedback or elaboration. (JKS)

Efficiency, precision, and concurrent validity of results from adaptive and fixed-item music listening tests were studied using: (1) 2,200 simulated examinees; (2) 204 live examinees; and (3) 172 live examinees. Results support the usefulness of adaptive tests for measuring skills that require aurally produced items. (SLD)

This article presents evidence of the reliability and validity of a new paper-and-pencil test of proportional reasoning, Paper-and-Pencil Balance Beam Test. A Total of 627 individuals, aged 8-47, participated in the 3 studies discussed. Results support previous research which correlates performance on proportional reasoning problems with…