Analysis of the Bracken Basic Concept Scale (BBCS) indicated that all subtests except two (Quantity and Time) showed statistically significant correlations between item difficulty and frequency of concept words. Administration of the BBCS to 36 first graders revealed that most concept words showed expected item discrimination indices. (Author/JDD)

Describes the development of a placement test specifically designed for students entering Pembroke State University. Includes question construction and suitable test standards in discussing the features of a good placement test. Concludes that the test provides a reliable measure of students potential success. (MDH)

This examination of the Rasch scaling model concludes that the model could potentially facilitate objective comparisons of status and change of young children with disabilities at individual and group levels. The paper discusses applications of the model to early childhood assessment in the areas of item banking, test analysis, and subject…

The study investigated the attitudes, perceptions, emotional reactions, and affective dispositions of 100 students at the University of Haifa (Israel) toward various test formats, item types, and methods of test administration. The use of examinee feedback systems in college student evaluation, applications of feedback inventories for assessing…

Discusses the "sore-finger" form of multiple choice test items. "Sore finger" items employ authentic texts making use of the rules of text grammar, achieve high discrimination levels, and show a high validity for several subtests, especially style tests. The use of sore finger items in German nationwide English and German tests…

This study reports results of an investigation based on simulated data of the distributional properties of the item fit statistics that are commonly used in the Rasch model calibration programs as indices of the fit of responses to individual items to the measurement model. (SLD)

Some cautions are sounded for converting a linearly administered test to an adaptive format. Four areas are identified in which practices broadly used in traditionally constructed tests can have adverse effects if thoughtlessly adopted when a test is administered in an adaptive mode. (SLD)

Describes the development of an affective measure of student attitudes toward their advisors, called the Descy Attitude toward Advisors scale (DATAs). Content validity is discussed, along with construct validity and alpha reliability data gathered on 120 graduate students in the fields of education and nursing. A copy of DATAs is appended.…

A study compared the use of free-form alternative-choice (AC) test items, offering two response options, and both complex and single-best-answer multiple-choice items for use of information in making clinical judgments. Although the AC items' reliability was less than other types, students felt they tested knowledge application, not just recall.…

Discussion of computer-based testing (CBT) focuses on the development of the database format question (DFQ) which allows the user to build up a more complex answer than multiple choice by selecting items from a database presented on the computer screen. Programing is explained and an evaluation of DFQ is included. (Seven references) (LRW)

A study investigated whether the more efficiently graded extended-matching questions were equivalent to short-answer questions in evaluating medical students' (n=98) ability to elicit physical findings and generate diagnoses and treatment plans, using standardized-patient examinations. The differences found in the two question types did not favor…

Using simulated and real data, this study compares the performance of three methodologies for assessing unidimensionality: (1) DIMTEST; (2) the approach of Holland and Rosenbaum; and (3) nonlinear factor analysis. All three models correctly confirm unidimensionality, but they differ in their ability to detect the lack of unidimensionality.…

The usefulness of a two-step version of the Mantel Haenszel procedure for distinguishing between differential item functioning (DIF) and item impact was studied by comparing the single-step and two-step procedures using a simulated data set. Results show changes in the identification rate for the two-step methods. (SLD)

Reports two studies of students' perceptions of hypothetical teachers' adaptations to individual needs. Found that the Students' Perception of Teachers (SPT) Scale was appropriate for use with elementary students, but procedures for administration should be altered for elementary students. Also found that high-achieving students preferred teachers…

A literature review identified issues about math tests for 11-year olds in the British National Curriculum: layout of test questions, vocabulary and language used, illustrations, and readability of text. More data are needed about how students read and process the information in test questions. (SK)