Reliability and concurrent validity data for the (SCII) were developed for a sample of 180 students. Two-week test-retest reliability correlations were approximately .90. Agreement between high scores and self-reported curriculum and occupational preferences ranged from 32 percent to 60 percent. Scoring on all Occupational scales produces…

The effects of recent changes on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) on mathematics performance are being studied using data from 1993 and later. Early results show a relative gain for women in the verbal area but not in mathematics. Expected trends, including an effect from increased calculator use, are discussed. (SLD)

This report presents the results of the statewide spring 2000 administration of the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Third-grade students were assessed in Reading; fourth- and seventh-grade students were assessed in Reading and Writing; and eighth-grade students were assessed in Mathematics and Science. The assessments were developed by…

Whether differences in mean scores among gender and racial/ethnic groups on science performance assessments are comparable to those for traditional tests was studied with 2,000 students in grades five, six, and nine. Overall, results suggest that the type of test has little effect on these differences in scores. (SLD)

The effect of different item formats (multiple choice and open) on gender differences in test performance was studied for the Swedish Diagrams, Tables, and Maps (DTM) test with 90 secondary school students. The change to open format resulted in no reduction in gender differences on the DTM. (SLD)

The purpose of this study was to design a prototype written test of cognitive development based on the model of Piaget. Although the results were not consistent with Piaget's theory, test development was only partially successful. Specifically, validation of the scales was excellent or poor depending on the perspective. Analysis of the item…

One of the changes in the test stimuli of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III (WISC-III) was the addition of color artwork on the Picture Completion (PC) and Picture Arrangement (PA) subtests. While the reactions of children and examiners to the color were positive during pilot testings and tryout, studies examining the effect of…

Reveals significant correlation between older Maltese students and high test scores on their examinations to enter junior high. Older students are those born in the early months of the year. Study found little difference in scores between genders, although girls were more likely to pass the examination than boys. (MJP)

Test development efforts for constructing 12 items to measure achievement of each of 30 selected language arts concepts are described. Item and total score statistics for data collected on 186 boys and 259 girls who had just begun the sixth grade are presented and discussed. (Author)

The primary objective of this study was to investigate overall patterns of gender differences and similarities of test performance in mathematics. To achieve that objective, observed test scores on the Delaware standards-based assessment were analyzed to examine: (1) gender differences and similarities across grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 over 2 years;…

This study investigated the effects of verbal factors on item performance in mathematics tests. Experimental tryout units were constructed that varied the verbal load of each of 21 mathematics test items. Each tryout unit was randomly assembled to include A, B and C versions of items so that no examinee took a unit of only one item format. Each…

Guidelines for test item-writing have traditionally recommended making the correct answer of a multiple-choice item grammatically consistent with its stem. To investigate the effects of adhering to this practice, certain item formats were designed to determine whether the practice of providing relevant grammatical clues, in itself, created cue…

Multiple-choice standardized achievement tests of English vocabulary and reading comprehension and of mathematics were administered to samples of 592 grade eight students and 615 grade five students. Two forms of each test unit were prepared. The control groups took forms containing items with four responses, while the experimental groups took…

The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is part of Florida's system of educational accountability that is mandated by state law. The CLAST is an achievement test measuring students' attainment of college-level communication and mathematics skills identified by faculties of community colleges and state universities. Since August 1, 1984…

The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is part of Florida's system of educational accountability that is mandated by state law. The CLAST is an achievement test measuring students' attainment of college-level communication and mathematics skills identified by faculties of community colleges and state universities. Since August 1, 1984…