This report summarizes the development and validation of a test of literal comprehension based on a modified cloze technique. This modification of the cloze offers an objective and partially computerized procedure for constructing items in the multiple-choice format. A field test of the multiple-choice cloze (MCC) involved the administration of 36…

A method for establishing minimal acceptable performance levels for criterion referenced multiple choice examinations is described and two procedures for evaluating its validity are discussed. The method involves assigning a priori item difficulties based on the similarity between the distractor and the correct response. In estimating the validity…

This study investigated the relationship between instructor ratings of taped microteaching performance and achievement on multiple choice examinations. Thirty graduate students enrolled in a reading methods course served as subjects. An analysis of the data indicated that no significant correlation existed between the variables. The viability of…

This instrument assesses readiness for school in preschool disadvantaged children. Two forms, A and B, are available and it is recommended that one be used as a diagnostic pretest and the other as a progress measure. The test is an individually administered, non-verbal, untimed, but paced instrument. The child responds to questions, given in…

This study is concerned with an examination of tendencies among individuals or groups to vary in their selection of certain types of responses when the same choice is presented in some other form, the tendencies being termed "response sets." Positional response sets (PRS), to which multiple-choice type items are prone, have reportedly…

The two phases in the development and tryout of a Guidance Counselor Test to be added to the National Teacher Examinations Program are discussed. In Phase One, a 150-item written test and a 50-item written test based on taped stimulus material were produced. Each test consisted of five-choice multiple-choice questions. In Phase Two, the tests were…

Although the "Don't Know" (DK) option has received telling criticism in maximum performance summative tests, its potential use in formative evaluation was considered and judged to be more promising. The pretest of an instructional module was administered with DK options. Examinees were then required to answer each question to which they had…

Medsirch (Medical Search) is an information retrieval system designed to aid in preparing examinations for medical students. There are two versions of the system: a sequential access file suitable for shallow indexing with a broad choice of search terms and a random direct access file for deep indexing with a restricted range of choices for search…

A procedure is described for increasing the reliability of tests after they have been given and for developing shorter but more reliable tests. Eight tests administered to 200 graduate students studying educational research are analyzed. The analysis considers the original tests, the items loading on the first factor of the test, and the items…

This study investigated the differential performance of subjects across cultures (U.S. and Ireland); grade levels (grades 2, 3, and 4); and three test formats (multiple-choice-cloze, maze, and cloze). Recognition test formats produced higher scores than the cloze format. Cultural influences were also reported. (Author/GDC)

Corrected-for-guessing scores on multiple-choice tests depend upon the ability and willingness of examinees to guess when they have some basis for answering, and to avoid guessing when they have no basis. The present study determined the extent to which college students were able and willing to comply with formula-scoring directions. (Author/CTM)

Two sets of mathematical reasoning and two sets of verbal comprehension items were cast into each of three formats--constructed response, standard multiple-choice, and Coombs multiple-choice--in order to assess whether tests with identical content but different formats measure the same attribute. (Author/CTM)

For the training and placement of professional workers, multiple-choice instruments are the norm for wide-scale measurement and evaluation efforts. These instruments contain fundamental problems. Computer-based management simulations may provide solutions to these problems, appear scoreable and reliable, offer increased validity, and are better…

In the context of pass/fail decisions, using the Bock multi-nominal latent trait model for moderate-length tests does not produce decisions that differ substantially from those based on the raw scores. The Bock decisions appear to relate less strongly to outside criteria than those based on the raw scores. (Author/JAZ)

Among techniques which can be used by foreign language teachers to help learners use multiple-choice tests (after reading a text) to become better readers are: have students attempt to answer questions before reading the text; rearrange the order of the questions; and have students make up multiple choice questions. (CB)