This celebrated primer presents an introduction to all of the key ingredients in understanding computerized adaptive testing technology, test development, statistics, and mental test theory. Based on years of research, this accessible book educates the novice and serves as a compendium of state-of-the-art information for professionals interested in computerized testing in the areas of education, psychology, and other related social sciences. A hypothetical test taken as a prelude to employment is used as a common example throughout to highlight this book's most important features and problems. Changes in the new edition include: *a completely rewritten chapter 2 on the system considerations needed for modern computerized adaptive testing; *a revised chapter 4 to include the latest in methodology surrounding online calibration and in the modeling of testlets; and *a new chapter 10 with helpful information on how test items are really selected, usage patterns, how usage patterns influence the number of new items required, and tools for managing item pools.

Used worldwide in assessment and professional certification contexts, computerized adaptive testing (CAT) offers a powerful means to measure individual differences or make classifications. This authoritative work from CAT pioneer David J. Weiss and Alper Şahin provides a complete how-to guide for planning and implementing an effective CAT to create a test unique to each person in real time. The book reviews the history of CAT and the basics of item response theory used in CAT. It walks the reader through developing an item bank, pretesting and linking items, selecting required CAT options, and using simulations to design a CAT. Available software for CAT delivery is described, including links to free and commercial options. Engaging multidisciplinary examples illustrate applications of CAT for measuring ability, achievement, proficiency, personality, attitudes, perceptions, patients’ reports of their symptoms, and academic or clinical progress.

This book offers a comprehensive introduction to the latest developments in the theory and practice of CAT. It can be used both as a basic reference and a valuable resource on test theory. It covers such topics as item selection and ability estimation, item pool development and maintenance, item calibration and model fit, and testlet-based adaptive testing, as well as the operational aspects of existing large-scale CAT programs.

The focus of this book is computer based assessment of the receptive skills.

The arrival of the computer in educational and psychological testing has led to the current popularity of adaptive testing---a testing format in which the computer uses statistical information about the test items to automatically adapt their selection to a real-time update of the test taker’s ability estimate. This book covers such key features of adaptive testing as item selection and ability estimation, adaptive testing with multidimensional abilities, sequencing adaptive test batteries, multistage adaptive testing, item-pool design and maintenance, estimation of item and item-family parameters, item and person fit, as well as adaptive mastery and classification testing. It also shows how these features are used in the daily operations of several large-scale adaptive testing programs.