Test Assembly

Review of Modern Methods for Automated Test Assembly and Item Pool Analysis (RR 16-01)

by Dmitry I. Belov

Automated methods have been developed for assembling test forms, evaluating a pool of test questions (i.e., items) to determine the number of test form assemblies it can support, and designing an item pool that can most efficiently support the test form assembly process. Automated methods have greatly maintained and improved such activities, all of which are essential to the support of every testing program. This report reviews the major approaches that have been applied in the development of these methods. Their potential application to the computerized adaptive or multistage delivery of the Law School Admission Test is also discussed.

Back to report gallery

Request the full report

Additional reports in this collection

Some Practical Issues in Computerized Adaptive Testing...

Many standardized tests are now administered via computer rather than paper-and-pencil format. The computer-based delivery mode brings with it certain advantages. One advantage is the ability to adapt the difficulty level of the test to the ability level of the test taker in what has been termed computerized adaptive testing, or CAT. A second advantage is the ability to record not only the test taker’s response to each item (i.e., question), but also the amount of time the test taker spends considering and answering each item.

Read More