Act, Inc.

Nancy Petersen

Changhui Zhang

Lisa Gawlick

Lingyun Gao

Wugen Dai

Robert L McKinley

Judith A Spray

A method for use of pretest items in a test to calculate interim scores is provided. The method includes, for example, a computer implemented test having a plurality of test items that include, for example, a plurality of operational items and one or more pretest items having one or more pretest item parameters. An interim latent construct estimate is calculated using both operational and pretest items. The error for the latent construct estimation is controlled by weighting the contribution of the one or more pretest items.

Methods for improving test efficiency and accuracy in a computer adaptive test (CAT)

A method for test item selection is provided that includes a computer implemented test battery having at least two or more sections with a plurality of test items. An ability estimate is calculated from an earlier section(s) of the at least two or more sections and an initial item and subsequent items for a subsequent section are selected from the plurality of test items based upon the ability estimate(s) from the earlier section(s). Use of a more informative initial ability estimate in the item selection process can improve interim ability estimation accuracy and item selection efficiency while keeping item exposure and item usage rates at acceptable levels.

A method and system for assembling a test having a plurality of slots is disclosed. The method includes executing a test administration script to associate each of the plurality of slots of the test with an item collection from which an item to fill the slot is to be chosen and to determine a lookup table of optimization statistics and a degree of randomization to use in selecting items from the item collection. An interim test score is obtained based on a portion of the test previously assembled. Optimization statistics are applied to control a property of the test based on the interim score while taking into account the degree of randomization.

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Solon, IA, United States of America

Nancy Petersen