Discusses the difference between communicative competence and linguistic performance. Describes the development, administration, and results of a three-part discrete point test based on rather specific definitions of communicative competence. (EKN)

The current status of "homemade" achievement tests reported in "Journal of Research in Science Teaching" and "Science Education" (January 1975 to January 1980) is examined using Anderson's (EJ 062 750) eight categories of information that a high quality research report should include. Findings from 142 references…

Traces the development of the informal reading inventory from its origins in the early 1900s and discusses its future as an assessment tool. (FL)

Describes a variety of ways to create cloze blanks and discusses how the reader's task differs in the various types of exercises. (FL)

In a study of tests on diagnosis it was found that confidence measures of knowledge adjusted for reasoning were more reliable than conventional measures of knowledge, supporting the idea that knowledge enhances the ability to recognize the diagnostic entities, and realism is associated with fewer premature closures. (MSE)

A seven-phase test development and validation process based on nuclear pharmacy practice standards is described, including: amplication of behaviors in the practice standards, development of examination specifications, item writing and review, a demonstration test, setting the cutting score, and final editing and assembly. (MSE)

A new method was developed to assist in the selection of a test length by utilizing computer simulation procedures and item response theory. A demonstration of the method presents results which address the influences of item pool heterogeneity matched to the objectives of interest and the method of item selection. (Author/PN)

Describes the development and content of a comprehensive measure of perceived parental role responsibilities among individuals employed fulltime. Responses from 600 working women and men were used to select items. The final 78-item measure consists of 13 scales, all of which showed good reliability and construct validity. (Author/RC)

An empirical comparison of the relative efficiency of verbal aptitude tests developed using two latent trait methods, the one- and three-parameter logistic models, is presented. When a well-defined item pool was used, the simple one-parameter logistic model was as efficient as the more complex model. (Author/PN)

Discusses use of item banks in preparing local tests, using as an example the construction of a college mathematics placement test. Compares recommended placements with course results at the end of the quarter. Students who placed themselves above recommendation did better than expected, perhaps because of strong self-selection factors. (PAS)

Uses a scale to analyze three tests used for assessing community college students' reading levels: The Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test (SDRT), the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT), and the Iowa Silent Reading Tests (ISRT). Judges the ISRT to be the best and the NDRT to be unacceptable according to the criteria of the scale. (FL)

Findings regarding formats and scoring formulas for multiple-choice test items with more than one correct response are presented. Strong cluing effects in the Type K format, increasing the correct score percentage and reducing test reliability, recommend using the Type X format. Alternative scoring methods are discussed. (Author/CM)

A critique of a variety of formats used in combined-response test items (those in which the respondent must choose the correct combination of options: a and b, all of the above, etc.) illustrates why this kind of testing is inherently flawed and should not be used in optometry examinations. (MSE)

It is important that teachers test not only knowledge, but also comprehension, application, synthesis, and evaluation. Several suggestions for test items in physical education are presented. (CJ)

Since 1973, the types of questions used on the Scholastic Aptitude Test have been periodically appraised for their appropriateness for different groups. The procedures used in the test development process to ensure appropriateness and approaches used in the statistical analysis to evaluate test fairness are described. (MLW)