Following a discussion of drill/practice and tutorial programing techniques (SE 533 144), this part focuses on techniques dealing with text problems. Various listings are included to demonstrate such methods as the READ/DATA approach in presenting questions to students. (JN)

A method for computer grading pharmaceutical calculations exams in which students convert their answers into scientific notation and enter their solutions onto a mark sense form is described. A table is generated and then posted listing student identification numbers, exam grades, and which problems were missed. (Author/MLW)

Reports a number of modifications to the computer readability program STAR (Simple Tests Approach to Readability) designed to make it more useful. (FL)

Describes a procedure for using the computer to assist in evaluating the progress of students on pretests, unit tests, posttests or a combination of tests. The use of computers to evaluate cognitive objectives of a course is examined. Twenty-four references are listed. (MER)

Describes an easy-to-use set of computer programs for the generation of multiple-choice and essay examinations in an introductory astronomy course. Program enables the user to establish files of test questions and to rapidly assemble printed copies of examinations suitable for photocopying. (Author/GS)

As computers become increasingly available to public schools, physical education teachers and coaches will have access to the many services and conveniences the computer offers. Physical education majors should be kept current with technology that affects their professional development. (CJ)

This article describes Minnesota Computerized Adaptive Testing Language program code for using the MicroCAT 3.5 testing software to administer several types of self-adapted tests. Code is provided for: a basic self-adapted test; a self-adapted version of an adaptive mastery test; and a restricted self-adapted test. (Author/SLD)

Evaluated whether variance due to computer-based presentation was associated with performance on a new constructed-response type, Mathematical Expression, that requires students to enter expressions. No statistical evidence of construct-irrelevant variance was detected for the 178 undergraduate and graduate students, but some examinees reported…

An alternative method for scoring adaptive tests, based on number-correct scores, is explored and compared with a method that relies more directly on item response theory. Using the number-correct score with necessary adjustment for intentional differences in adaptive test difficulty is a statistically viable scoring method. (SLD)

Common strategies for dealing with flawed items in conventional testing, grounded in principles of fairness to examinees, are re-examined in the context of adaptive testing. The additional strategy of retesting from a pool cleansed of flawed items is found, through a Monte Carlo study, to bring about no practical improvement. (SLD)

Assesses the reliability and validity of the Web-based version of the Career Key. Participants completed the Web-based version of the Career Key and the Self-Directed Search-Form R and completed a second Career Key administration 2 weeks later. Test-retest reliability ranged between .75 and .84. With the exception of the conventional scale, all…

Some effects of using unidimensional item response theory (IRT) were examined when the assumption of unidimensionality was violated. Adaptive and nonadaptive tests were used. It appears that use of a unidimensional model can bias parameter estimation, adaptive item selection, and ability estimation for the two types of testing. (TJH)

General guidelines are developed to assist practitioners in devising operational computerized adaptive testing systems based on the graded response model. The effects of the following major variables were examined: item pool size; stepsize used along the trait continuum until maximum likelihood estimation could be calculated; and stopping rule…

Reviews current research developments in several areas of personnel selection methodology which represent attempts to develop alternatives to traditional paper-and-pencil methods of test development. Areas examined include computer-interactive tests in employment situation, new uses for life history information, physical tests for physically…

A computer analysis of the compositions written by university students with (N=30) and without (N-60) learning disabilities (LD) found LD students were not as fluent in word production and in the number of different words used but did produce longer sentences and T-units than nondisabled peers. (DB)