The design of a valid and reliable test of test-wiseness is reported: a 33-item multiple-choice instrument with 4 subscales trialed with several groups of English-as-a-Second-Language students. Findings indicate differential skills in test-taking; some learner scores are influenced by skills that are not the focus of the test. (13 references)…

Explains why performance tasks should be used for assessment in hands-on science programs. Lists guidelines to help teachers construct valid tasks for student or program evaluation. Illustrates the guidelines by discussing a chromatography task from the Second International Science Study test. (PR)

The Stanford-Binet IV is compared to the original version and criticized for having less power to measure the high end of intelligence and for having norms that discriminate against gifted students. Strengths of the Stanford-Binet L-M are pointed out, and use of both scales for different purposes is recommended. (JDD)

Variables that constitute translation ability are discussed, based on a two-year development and validation study of job-related tests of translation ability for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The project involved the development of two parallel forms of the Spanish into English Verbatim Translation Exam (SEVTE). (five references) (LB)

Analysis of the Bracken Basic Concept Scale (BBCS) indicated that all subtests except two (Quantity and Time) showed statistically significant correlations between item difficulty and frequency of concept words. Administration of the BBCS to 36 first graders revealed that most concept words showed expected item discrimination indices. (Author/JDD)

Examines the development and administration of the New Jersey General Intellectual Skills (GIS) Assessment, administered for the first time in 1990 at all public colleges and universities in the state. Describes the GIS's scope and function, scoring procedures, score reporting, faculty expectations, and initial results. (DMM)

Test developers have an obligation to create the most appropriate assessment instruments possible as L. J. Kilian argues, but whether they do or not, educators still are responsible for providing test preparation that is professionally ethical and educationally defensible. (SLD)

Suggestions for organizing the objective structured clinical examination for medical students and physicians address selection of competencies to be evaluated, number, type, and duration of examination stations, use of examiners, clarity of instructions, test administration, resource requirements, interstation signals, and recordkeeping. (MSE)

Describes a study refining the Mass Communication Writing Apprehension Measure (MCWAM)--a test intended to identify dysfunctional writing attitudes and aid in advising students. Replicates multidimensionality and individual-subject differences. Extends earlier results by showing that MCWAM discriminates between mass communication and non-mass…

Summarizes two studies conducted for the development and validation of a Spanish version of the Expectations about Counseling (EAC) questionnaire. Administered English and Spanish versions to bilingual university students and bilingual nonstudents. Results suggest that the Spanish version of the EAC is a reliable and valid translation for students…

Describes the development of a placement test specifically designed for students entering Pembroke State University. Includes question construction and suitable test standards in discussing the features of a good placement test. Concludes that the test provides a reliable measure of students potential success. (MDH)

This examination of the Rasch scaling model concludes that the model could potentially facilitate objective comparisons of status and change of young children with disabilities at individual and group levels. The paper discusses applications of the model to early childhood assessment in the areas of item banking, test analysis, and subject…

Reports results of a study of the musical timbre preferences of fifth grade students and of the effectiveness of the Instrument Timbre Preference Test. Concludes that results support the test's practical validity, particularly in terms of longitudinal prediction. Suggests that timbre preference investigations could affect aspects of music…

Previous person-fit research is extended through explication of an unexplored model for generating aberrant response patterns. The proposed model is then implemented to investigate the influence of test properties on the aberrancy detection power of a person-fit statistic. Difficulties of aberrancy detection are discussed. (SLD)

An anthropology professor required students to compose essay questions that they felt summarized the principal issues and objectives of the course, based on lecture content. In the final examination, students were given several of their own questions to answer. Students felt they learned more from this format. (MSE)