The extent to which essay and objective tests measure the same or different abilities when instruction and content remain constant is investigated. (PR)

Alternative scoring methods yield essentially the same information, including scale intercorrelations and validity. Reasons for preferring the traditional psychometric scoring technique are offered. (Author/AG)

A rebuttal of Frary's 1969 article in Educational and Psychological Measurement. (MS)

A system for evaluating the human figure drawings of children aged 5 to 12 is presented. (Author)

Adults took the Rod and Frame, Portable Rod and Frame, and Embedded Figures Tests. Absolute and algebraic frame-effect scores were more reliable and valid than rod-effect algebraic scores. Correlations with the Embedded Figures Test were so low that the interchangeability of these field articulation measures is questionable. (Author/RD)

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)

The Serlin-Kaiser procedure is used to complete a principal components solution for scoring weights for all options of a given item. Coefficient alpha is maximized for a given multiple choice test. (Author/GK)

Students who meet with repeated failure at the beginning of a test are likely to lose motivation to continue to interact with each item. Therefore, it seems better to recommend testing out-of-level for those students scoring at or below the chance score mean. (RL)

Point systems in intramural competition do not accurately reflect the participation value of each sport. A system is presented in which point values are automatically adjusted to differences in group participation from sport to sport. This system is based on the set number of participants per sport and on the number of contests played per season.…

On distractor-identification tests students mark as many distractors as possible on each test item. A grading scale is developed for this type testing. The score is optimal in that it yields an unbiased estimate of the student's score as if no guessing had occurred. (Author/JKS)

Techniques for obtaining time perspective data were examined. Undergraduates responded to a questionnaire containing one of three formats for reporting anticipated future life-events, varying in structure imposed on respondents. Temporal estimates of life-event occurence were coded using two procedures, both permitting a near and a far value.…

Use of choice-weighted scores as a basis for assigning grades in college courses was investigated. Reliability and validity indices offer little to recommend either type of choice-weighted scoring over number-right scoring. The potential for choice-weighted scoring to enhance the teaching/testing process is discussed. (Author/GK)