A Wherry-Wherry hierarchical factor analysis was performed on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) subtest intercorrelations for each of six age groups. A hierarchical arrangement of abilities highly congruent with Vernon's structure of intellect theory was obtained. The findings support the construct validity of the…

The effectiveness of having 51 students generate their own headings for scientific text is assessed. Results reveal that generating headings enhances performance on a number of recall measures compared to either author-provided headings or no headings. (Author)

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has devised an evaluation system that not only provides the advantages of oral examination but also attempts to alleviate some of its disadvantages. The system uses oral examination to assess students' content knowledge. (MLW)

Answer-until-correct (AUC) is a procedure for providing feedback during a multiple-choice test, giving an increased range of scores. The performance of secondary students on a verbal ability test using AUC procedures was compared with a group using conventional instructions. AUC scores considerably enhanced reliability but not validity.…

Double-entry expectancy tables show the relationship between both high school grade point average and Scholastic Aptitude Test verbal scores and academic achievement at the College of Basic Studies of Boston University. The usefulness of the grid is discussed and compared with multiple regression. (Author/CTM)

Right-handed sixth graders were administered the WISC Block Design and verbal and nonverbal versions of the Rod-and-Frame Test (RFT), measuring field dependence/independence. Results seemed to reflect a right hemisphere processing for the nonverbal RFT and a possible sex bias against girls in its traditional verbal administration. (Author/SJL)

At Georgia Southern College a study of faculty time expended in the master's oral examination in counseling revealed written tests could save 680 faculty hours at the 89 percent success rate (almost 50 hours per year). The oral could be retained as an option for some students. (Author)

An oral situational structural test developed for ESL students is discussed. This article proposes that tests can be used as motivational instruments and as teaching instruments. Properly used, tests enable students to see a link between ultimate language proficiency and immediate exam passage. (CHK)

A method of analyzing test item responses is advocated to examine differential item functioning through distractor choices of those answering an item incorrectly. The analysis uses log-linear models of a three-way contingency table, and is illustrated in an analysis of the verbal portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (TJH)

Data from 10,000 college applicants, who had taken the Scholastic Aptitude Test-Verbal, were used to assess claims that guessing improves formula scores. Number of items attempted, a guessing index, the formula score, and an approximation of an ability score were obtained. Success in guessing is proportional to examinee ability. (TJH)

The advantages and disadvantages of the use of the oral interview and role-playing to assess communicative competence are outlined. The interview is criticized and deemed an inappropriate form of testing, and it is proposed that role-playing allows better assessment of sociolinguistic competence. Group interaction is suggested as providing another…

Basic principles that should be followed by anyone developing a scale are reviewed, with emphasis on verbally mediated measures. The essential first step is a clear conceptualization of the target construct. Item development and ensuring unidimensionality follow. Factor analysis can be crucial in establishing unidimensionality and discriminant…

Validity studies conducted with the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SB:FE) are reviewed. Results support its validity as a measure of general mental ability and that it can distinguish between groups of youngsters with differing intellectual abilities. Recommendations are made for use of the SB:FE. (SLD)

A table is provided for determining the frequency of occurrence of Verbal-Performance discrepancies on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) in profiles of high Intelligence Quotient children. Warnings are offered regarding the adverse effect of subtest substitution or omission when administering the WISC-R to highly…