2nd Edition
Computerized Adaptive Testing A Primer
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.
Biography
Howard Wainer, Neil J. Dorans, Ronald Flaugher, Bert F. Green, Robert J. Mislevy
"The first edition of this primer...earned the reputation as the best available introduction to CAT, and for good reason. The authors...are among the leaders of the field and have a thorough experience in the practical development of CAT. Their writing is clear and lucid and the different parts of the book are nicely coordinated. The topics are a good mix of practical consideration (e.g., demands on the visual display of items) and psychometric theory (e.g., item response theory [IRT], principles for item selection and proficiency estimation [scoring])....the present edition contains some important additions to the first edition..."
—Quality of Life Research"It has assembled the necessary theoretical, statistical, and practical foundations not provided in any other single resource, and it will enable language testers to evaluate the extent to which CATs are appropriate for the kinds of inferences and purposes we need to address in language assessment."
—Language Learning & TechnologyPraise for the first edition...
"...it is the first text concerning adaptive testing that is actually aimed at the nontechnical audience and, as such, makes a substantial contribution to the field."
—Contemporary Psychology"The book is true to its title as a primer in the sense that little previous knowledge on CAT is necessary. Also, all necessary psychometric concepts are introduced and explained. The chapters on psychometrics provide very readable and fairly thorough introductions to the core concepts....I recommend this Primer on CAT as the best place to start on this endeavour."
—Quality of Life ResearchPraise for the first edition...
"The text provides an excellent coverage of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) by some of the foremost authorities today. The references and the GCAT example used throughout the book afford the reader a better understanding of the technical issues surrounding the creation and use of CAT."
—Randall E. Schumacker
Educational and Psychological Measurement
