Explains how microcomputer-based test generation systems work and how to select and use such a system. Discusses several available programs, recommending the Harpertest and Micro-Pac systems for ease of use and versatility. Describes the benefits and limitations of microcomputer test generation systems. (GEA)

A study of the usefulness of several diagnostic tests for selecting students to enter a civil engineering program found that the tests were not appropriate and that tests should be developed specifically for civil engineering. (MSE)

A shortened version of Zaichkowsky's 20-item Personal Involvement Inventory was created, removing four items which might be difficult to understand for noncollege-educated populations. The 16-item modified version had acceptable internal consistency; test-retest reliability; and factorial and predictive validity. (Author/GDC)

Recruited 109 college freshmen to evaluate test-retest reliability of videotaped scenario measure and questionnaire designed to assess interpersonal functions. Subjects responded to both measures at two assessment times. Found both measures to have adequate reliability. There were no sex differences, nor were subjects' responses related to measure…

Examines reasons for using essay tests in the direct assessment of writing ability. Reviews the steps in developing a large-scale testing program; e.g., creating a pool of topics or prompts; developing scoring procedures; training raters; field-testing the system; scoring writing samples; assessing reliability; and assessing validity. (DMM)

Provides comprehensive description of methodology used in national study on competencies of vocational rehabilitation practitioners in major specializations and employment settings, giving special attention to sampling design and instrument development phases. Also gives detailed descriptive information on characteristics of respondents.…

Reviews the 25-year record of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), highlighting criticisms of test design and validity, sampling techniques, standards, and usefulness of results. Provides the newly organized NAEP with guidelines for selecting input variables and specifies nine variables to be studied. A sidebar describes NAEP's…

Increased policymaking activity at the state level will increase the states' demands for relevant data to guide educational reform. This article presents a state assessment model serving three major purposes: (1) facilitating policy development; (2) mobilizing and sustaining political support for schools; and (3) improved educational quality.…

Verbal analogical reasoning tasks are described as potentially valuable in the assessment and management of subtle linguistic defects less easily detected by standardized language tests. Semantic and structural factors that should be considered in the development of verbal analogies as test items are cited, as well as adaptations for nonreaders.…

This study examined three statistical methods for selecting items for mastery tests: (1) pretest-posttest; (2) latent trait; and (3) agreement statistics. The correlation between the latent trait method and agreement statistics, proposed here as an alternative, was substantial. Results for the pretest-posttest method confirmed its reputed…

Techniques for constructing short forms of tests are discussed, and an example is given using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Reliability and validity estimation equations are presented. (GDC)

Three professional associations, the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education, jointly adopted the new "Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing" in 1985. The relationship of these to earlier standards is reviewed, and implications…

Administered the Attitude toward Working Mothers Scale to 526 graduate students. Findings demonstrated the reliability, validity and generalizability of the 32 item scale and suggested that the AWM Scale could be useful in research in maternal employment. (JAC)

Proposes a new type of oral test, based on Grice's Co-operative Principle and its dependent maxims, to measure communicative competence. Describes the design, administration, and scoring of this timed, multiple-choice test and gives sample test materials. Discusses applications to testing languages for special purposes and ways of presenting the…

In many African countries tests used as a selection examination for entrance to secondary and higher levels of education do not have content validity. The practices and problems of test development in Africa are discussed. The advantages of domain-referenced tests are examined. (RM)