This booklet presents the social studies test required for graduation in Alberta, Canada. The grade 12 diploma examination consists of multiple-choice questions (70 percent of the total mark) and written response questions (30 percent). Time for the examination is expected to be two-and-one-half hours with an additional one-half hour given to…

Many testing programs include a section of optional questions in addition to mandatory parts of a test. These optional parts of a test are not often truly parallel to one another, and groups of examinees selecting each optional test section are not equivalent to one another. This paper provides a general method based on missing-data methods for…

A qualitative study investigated the test-taking behaviors, knowledge, and perceptions of 20 urban, adult basic education students reading at third to fifth grade equivalency levels. The entire reading comprehension subtest of the Test of Adult Basic Education, levels E and M, was administered under standardized conditions. A combination of…

This paper compares two methods of establishing content validity, forced-choice judgmental review and a latent category judgmental review. It also compares content validity evidence with the results of a scale reliability analysis and makes recommendations of the two content validity procedures. Two different groups of graduate students enrolled…

This handbook provides information for persons who are preparing to take a test for certification in the plastics industry. The nine sections of the handbook provide information on the following: (1) the mission of the Society of the Plastics Industry and the value of the National Certification in Plastics; (2) tips on preparing for the exam; (3)…

This software product makes the manipulation of the more than 3000 most commonly used words in the English language easy to select and manipulate into various activities for elementary and middle school students. Users of the program have a variety of options: the program can automatically select words based on their age/grade level, frequency of…

Distinctions were made between three classes of statistical linkage: equivalence, concordance, and prediction. These distinctions were based on rational content considerations and empirical statistical relationships. A large database involving SAT I and ACT scores was used to determine which type of linkage was best suited for different scores and…

Focuses on the appropriate use of tests to evaluate a program according to the overall goals, approaches, and specific instructional contents of that particular program. The article emphasizes that often test results are viewed as indicators of the success or failure of a program without considering whether the aims of that program and the…

Summarizes research supporting current beliefs in testing, identifies good assessment qualities, and reviews the current knowledge of test design. Standardized tests negatively affect academic program quality. Alternative assessments must be judged by their validity, reliability, consequences, fairness, generalizability, cognitive complexity,…

After noting limited interest in the teaching and/or testing of paralinguistic features of spoken English, this article describes a test that includes a number of items uttered differently, which students are asked to interpret. Suggestions are offered regarding test administration, test items, and student evaluation. (five references) (LB)

Survey of 43 British secondary teachers showed that the National Curriculum positively influenced teaching methods, encouraging greater variety in delivery and more active learning. Concern was expressed that these practices may be hindered if national assessment tests are narrow in nature and content. (SK)

Observes that emphasis on educational accountability in visual arts has led to the acceptance of various assessment tools. Describes the format and content of existing state visual arts achievement tests and clarifies what is being done nationally in assessment through the use of state art achievement tests. (DSK)

Examined administration method (standard written administration versus oral administration by an examiner) as a variable influencing children's self-report test scores. Subjects included 139 students in grades 3-6, randomly assigned to an administration condition. Results suggest that method of administration did not affect test performance. (JBJ)

The influence of judges' knowledge on standard setting for competency tests was studied with 17 judges who took an economics teacher certification test while setting competency standards using the Angoff procedure. Judges tended to set higher standards for items they answered correctly and lower standards for items they answered incorrectly. (SLD)

Explores the content of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and describes similarities between the ITBS and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) standards. Addresses three NCSS standards and how each may be represented on a standardized test. Provides eight confidence-boosting principles. (CMK)