An instructional system at the University of Maine (Orono) was developed to address problems unique to this institution. The system consists of biology instructional modules, variable pacing through computer-generated examinations, and variable credit. Although lectures were initially eliminated, they were reinitiated to motivate students and help…

Three developments over the past 15 years--our understanding of cognition, new techniques in technical psychometrics, and the computer explosion--form the basis for a proposal for new intelligence tests. These developments are reviewed, and both leaps and steps in intellectual assessment are proposed. (Author/RD)

An inexpensive computer-based system supporting mastery instruction is described. Components include an optically scanned card accommodating scores for hand-scored portions of examinations, software for making objective items and scoring, and software for reporting total test scores and designated subscore sets. Subscores can be provided for…

Discusses the future of computerized adaptive testing (CAT), i.e., experimental tests developed by the Educational Testing Service in response to criticism of the Standardized Aptitude Tests (SATs). CAT examinations are individually tailored to each test taker, and researchers believe they are more predictive than conventional SATs. (JJD)

This discussion of computer-assisted repeatable tests, which are frequently used to evaluate and monitor students' acquisition of knowledge in mastery learning situations, cites and describes a number of specific examples of systems for creating both online and batch tests. A reference list is provided. (JJD)

Describes a "gradebook program" capable of recording, editing, recoding, weighting, and scaling multiple choice test scores. (SK)

Describes the two-day library orientation offered to all incoming sophomore English classes at Quincy High and Vocational Technical Schools in Milton, Massachusetts. Computer-scored pretests allow librarians to tailor the basic orientation package to the needs of each class. (SJL)

Initially school personnel tended to select devices with technically adequate reliability and validity. As decision making continued, technically inadequate devices were selected more often. More emphasis on the importance of technically adequate assessment devices is needed in training school professionals. (Author)

Five major trends in the study of intellectual abilities are identified. These suggest that in the future several kinds of tests will be used to measure several kinds of basic processes of intelligence. There will be a corresponding decrease in concern to measure a single attribute of general intelligence. (Author/RD)

A study investigated a computer-based testing method in an anatomic pathology course within a new, modular, systems-oriented medical curriculum at the University of Otago (New Zealand). Students (n=193) completed five biweekly criterion-referenced, computer-based quizzes incorporating digitized photographs and varied question formats. Results…

A study involving 209 Spanish high school students compared computer-based English vocabulary tests: (1) a self-adapted test (SAT); (2) a computerized adaptive test (CAT); (3) a conventional test; and (4) a test combining SAT and CAT. No statistically significant differences were found among test types for estimated ability or posttest anxiety.…

Results of studies involving 478 junior high school students in two years using cognitive diagnoses done through computerized adaptive testing indicate that knowing students' knowledge states before remediation is effective, and that the rule-space method can diagnose these knowledge states effectively. (SLD)

A study using a widely used clinical assessment instrument examined whether eight children (ages 9-19) with Asperger syndrome had a greater number of attention deficit symptoms than controls. Evidence of an attention deficit, as measured by a computerized test of attention, was seen in a majority of the subjects. (Contains references.) (CR)

Describes the development of a task-based test, Taaltoets Instroom Beroepsopleiding (TIBO), designed to measure whether nonnative adult speakers of Dutch posses the level of Dutch required to enter vocational training in the industrial sector. Focuses on three tensions that had to be considered throughout the process of test development.…

The relationship of an expert-system-scored constrained free-response item type to multiple-choice and free-response items was studied using data for 614 students on the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science (APCS) Examination. Implications for testing and the APCS test are discussed. (SLD)