Explores the history of testing, motivations for testing, testing procedures, and the inevitable limitations of testing. Argues that writing program faculty and administrators must clarify and profess their values, decide what they want students to know and what sort of thinkers they should be, and develop tests reflecting those needs. (SR)

This study compares physician performance on the Computer-Aided Simulation of the Clinical Encounter with peer ratings and performance on multiple choice questions and patient management problems. Results indicate that all formats are equally valid, although multiple choice is the most reliable method of assessment per unit of testing time.…

Scores based on the number of correct answers were compared with scores based on dangerous responses to items in the same multiple choice test developed by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Results showed construct validity for both sets of scores. However, both scores were redundant when evaluated by correlation coefficient. (Author/JAZ)

Describes the development and evaluation of interactive computer-based formative tests containing multiple choice questions based on Bloom's taxonomy and their use in a core-level higher education business statistics course prior to graded examinations to determine where students are experiencing difficulties. (MBR)

During 1969 the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement began a series of cross-cultural studies to investigate the workings of multiple-choice achievement tests and student guessing behaviors. Empirical models to correct for guessing are discussed in terms of test item difficulty, number of response choices,…

Discusses the effectiveness of Kuwait University Language Center Placement Tests in promoting homogeneity of class ability levels. Looks at the appropriateness of multiple-choice tests of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension for placement and diagnostic purposes in large programs. Concludes that carefully designed and written…

Results of a rational, multiple-choice, cloze Spanish achievement test indicate the validity of such a test to measure achievement. It is suggested that with only minor adaptations, such a test could be used as a way to measure macro- and microprogress with specific materials at any point in a course or program where reading may be tested. (SL)

Describes development of a test using slides and corresponding multiple-choice questions for second-year occupational therapy students in child studies course. Reasons for choosing the test format are discussed and an outline of test construction procedures is given. An evaluation of the test indicates problems encountered and benefits gained.…

Defends the use of multiple-choice language tests against Pickering's criticism in a previous issue of this journal. (CHK)

This research sought to examine the link between different situational demands, in this case three different types of science achievement tests (multiple-choice, constructed response, and performance assessments), and perceptions, beliefs, and performance of 491 high school students. The students were characterized by three well-established…

A study was conducted to investigate: (1) the relationships between the results from various forms of assessment and the patterns of correlation across content areas; (2) how cognitive components correlate with the test results from different classroom assessments; and (3) how content areas affected the relationships. Data were collected from a…

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the difference, if any, in high level and low level achievement among three groups of students. (Author/RK)

Results of the study indicate that the 3-choice, selected-response tests often utilized in programs of this type do not provide an accurate indication of end-of-year achievement for many children, and their continued use is not recommended. (Authors)

Condensed from "Memo to the Faculty , no. 35 (June 1969), a publication of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Discusses problems in using multiple-choice items on criterion-referenced tests, offering alternative methods to determine if objectives have been met. These include batteries of true-false items, structural communication grids, concept linkages, and a scoring system which takes partial knowledge into consideration. (JN)