Offers some suggestions for 16+ reform. (Editor)

Students and teachers are dissatisfied with sixth form language instruction and examinations, claiming that their purposes and goals are confused and not clearly articulated. The suggested new emphasis involves instruction in various specific and practical modes of written and oral language production, written translation, and reading and…

The problems and advantages of multiple-choice tests in German at A-level are discussed. (CHK)

To determine if cloze items are sensitive to constraints across sentences, sequential and scrambled-type tests were given to native English speakers and Japanese adults studying ESL. Results showed cloze items embedded in prose are sensitive to discourse constraints ranging beyond the immediate limits of a sentence. (CHK)

The performance of first-professional-year pharmacy students was compared to their PCAT performance of prepharmacy students. The value of the PCAT was found to lie in those portions of it that are directly related to the coursework in which a student is enrolled, especially when there is a performance level within a class that is directly…

The author discusses issues in the development of admissions tests by home study schools. He covers the construction of tests, emphasizing (1) consistency, (2) validity, and (3) normative data sampling. (CH)

Outlines the procedures involved in the construction of the Canadian version of the Life Roles Inventory-Values Scale (Canadian Work Importance Study, 1986), developed in both French and English. Describes studies of the reliability (internal consistency, test-retest, and alternate form), and validity (construct, convergent, discriminant, and…

A three-step process in designing a test to assess children's oral language proficiency in specific communicative areas is described and illustrated, and the utility of such tests for classroom teachers is discussed. (MSE)

An Attitudes-Toward-Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was developed in two studies: (1) 40 items were administered to 365 undergraduate students to assess attitudes toward the use of computers; (2) based on factor analysis results, the scale was reduced to 20 items and administered to 351 undergraduates. Results show the ATCUS to be a reliable…

Compares test formats that may be used to measure student achievement levels in library media skills, including strengths and weaknesses of test items, ability levels required to answer items, and possible modifications to items. Different testing methods are also discussed. (CLB)

Issues associated with incorporation of computerized test development and administration into licensure of health professionals are discussed. Specific issues covered include reporting of test procedures and results, computerized test administration, open-book testing, and the impact of regulation. (TJH)

This special issues describes multidimensional scaling (MDS), with emphasis on proximity and preference models. An introduction and six papers review statistical developments in MDS study design and scrutinize MDS research in four areas of application (consumer, social, cognitive, and vocational psychology). (SLD)

Discusses the problem of improper test development and usage in the following areas: (1) policy making; (2) norms development; and (3) use of results for diagnosis and classification. Urges Black scholars to conduct more empirical research studies on the effects of test use and misuse on minority groups. (FMW)

Concludes that the instrument reviewed is a carefully designed test incorporating a new interpretation of standardization and improved definitions of traditional reading levels. (FL)

Describes measurement problems associated with computer based testing (CBT) programs when they are part of a computer assisted instruction curriculum. Topics discussed include CBT standards; selection of item types; the contamination of items that arise from test design strategies; and the non-equivalence of comparison groups in item analyses. (8…