Computerized Clinical Simulation Testing is an uncued, dynamic, interactive test that permits examinees to simulate the clinical decision-making skills used in the nursing management of client needs. It has the potential for helping boards of nursing to make more valid assessments about who is competent to practice nursing. (JOW)

The reliability and validity of the Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) (R. Novaco, 1994) were studied with 204 male correctional offenders admitted for general or violent offenses. Results show the NAS to be an effective measure of anger in an offender population. Results also support the validity of a computerized version of the NAS. (SLD)

Surveyed 364 members of the Society for Personality Assessment to determine how they use computer-based test interpretation software (CBTI) in their work, and their perspectives on the ethics of using CBTI. Psychologists commonly use CBTI for test scoring, but not to formulate a case or as an alternative to a written report. (SLD)

Discussion of performance assessments that test for higher-order thinking and problem solving focuses on research by the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) that assessed student problem solving using networked computers and the Web, where both performance and process data could be reported back to…

Proposes a model for constrained computerized adaptive testing in which the information in the test at the trait level (theta) estimate is maximized subject to the number of possible constraints on the content of the test. Test assembly relies on a linear-programming approach. Illustrates the approach through simulation with items from the Law…

Focuses on the potential contributions of optimal test-design models to practical test-assembly issues that result from limitations in the models or the technology required for their implementation and limitations inherent in the test-assembly process. Outlines research needed to make implementation of these techniques routine in test assembly.…

Describes an integrated approach to test development and administration called computer-adaptive sequential testing (CAST). CAST incorporates adaptive testing methods with automated test assembly. Describes the CAST framework and demonstrates several applications using a medical-licensure example. (SLD)

Proposes two new methods for item-exposure control, the Progressive method and the Restricted Maximum Information method. Compares both methods with six other item-selection methods. Discusses advantages of the two new methods and the usefulness of combining them. (SLD)

Computers are being used to conduct large-scale graduate placement tests, professional certification exams, vocational interest and aptitude assessments, workplace skills tests, and even classroom quizzes. Although convenient and easier to administer, computer tests are expensive and could discriminate against those with less computer literacy.…

Summarizes the benefits of computerized assessment and provides a review of some practical issues concerning measurement, item and examinee characteristics, hardware, and software. Adequate measures of reliability and validity have been established for many computer-based tests, and the benefits of computer testing have been realized in applied…

Describes what a Web-based language test (WBT) is, how WBTs differ from traditional computer-based tests, and what uses WBTs have in language testing. After a brief review of computer-based testing, WBTs are defined and categorized as low-tech or high tech. Advantages and design and implementation issues of WBTs are considered before examining the…

Compared five item selection rules with respect to the efficiency and precision of trait (theta) estimation at the early stages of computerized adaptive testing (CAT). The Fisher interval information, Fisher information with a posterior distribution, Kullback-Leibler information, and Kullback-Leibler information with a posterior distribution…

Used Monte Carlo simulation to compare the relative measurement efficiency of polytomous modeling and dichotomous modeling under different scoring schemes and termination criteria. Results suggest that polytomous computerized adaptive testing (CAT) yields marginal gains over dichotomous CAT when termination criteria are more stringent. Discusses…

Results of the online Kuder Career Search (KCS) were compared with concurrent measures of career interest and self-efficacy for 197 college freshmen. The KCS Activity Preference Scales related as expected. The rank order of KCS Career Clusters correlated with the ranks of the concurrent interest scales. (Contains 17 references.) (SK)

The state of Washington's Department of Personnel has adopted an Internet system for online job application, screening, testing, scoring, and interview referral. Candidate certifications are tailored to job skill requirements specified by personnel managers, giving managers flexible access to a pool of high-quality job candidates. (SK)