Open AccessAN INVESTIGATION OF APPROACHES TO COMPUTERIZING THE GRE ® SUBJECT TESTS
Author(s) -
Stocking Martha L.,
Smith Robert,
Swanson Len
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ets research report series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.235
H-Index - 5
ISSN - 2330-8516
DOI - 10.1002/j.2333-8504.2000.tb01827.x
Subject(s) - computerized adaptive testing , test (biology) , computer science , blueprint , subject (documents) , mathematics education , statistics , reliability engineering , mathematics , psychometrics , engineering , mechanical engineering , paleontology , library science , biology
In this project, we explored the application of two common, computer‐based test (CBT) designs, computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and linear‐on‐the‐fly testing (LOFT) to two Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject Tests chosen to represent the range of different test structures: the GRE Mathematics Test and the GRE Biology Test. The results were mixed. Some variations proved adequate in meeting minimum psychometric requirements. However, no variation proved adequate in the implementation of a complete test blueprint, nor did any variation provide strong support for meeting test security requirements in an environment of unrestricted continuous testing. The conversion of the GRE Subject Tests from paper‐and‐pencil administration to a computer‐based testing format seems viable only if pretesting is implemented, item writing is expanded, test length is reduced, classification schemes are improved, and the roles of test specialists and the Committees of Examiners are substantially revised.