Computer Adaptive Testing

1. Computer Adaptive Testing Erica Abangan

2. What is Computer Adaptive Testing? • Computer Adaptive Testing or CAT is a form of computer based testing that adapts to the test taker’s ability level. • It is also known as a tailored test. • Are based on an item-response theory model

3. How CAT Works • Are administered so that results and responses are recorded electronically • The test taker is given a set of questions that have been pre-chosen by the test administrator, but as an examinee is taking the test, the test will automatically readjust the next question depending upon the previous response.

4. Purpose • The main objective of a CAT test is to match it to the test taker’s true ability level to determine what skills or concepts a students has mastered or would need reinforcement in

5. Relevance to Educators • Performance Based Assessment • Helps distinguish specific skills in various subject areas • Pre-assessment or post-assessment tool • Enrichment or remediation

6. Where CAT is Used • Military • Entrance or placement tests • IQ Tests • Schools • Job applications

7. Pros • can provide precise scores for most test takers • can be a continual ongoing assessment for students • tests provide results immediately • can give different sets of questions to students • can be shortened or lengthened depending on time available • Students’ performance over time can be tracked

8. CONS • Cost of programs • test takers may identify patterns within the questioning and skew their results • Should not be used for some subjects and skills

9. EXAMPLE • https://smarttrack.kaplankids.com/smarttrack/ • http://edperformance.com/

10. Resources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computerized_adaptive_testing • http://www.psych.umn.edu/psylabs/catcentral/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-based_assessment • http://echo.edres.org:8080/scripts/cat/catdemo.htm • http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-9213/tests.htm • http://www.carla.umn.edu/assessment/CATfaq.html