Adaptive Testing by Computer

Problems with conventional tests, in which all examinees take the same items, and the advantages of adaptive tests are described. The adaptive characteristics of Binet's IQ test are identified, and a more efficient adaptive variation of it is presented. Other kinds of adaptive tests are briefly reviewed and evaluated. Some basic principles of item response theory (IRT) are presented, and maximum information adaptive testing based on IRT is described. Both simulation and live-testing studies of adaptive testing are reviewed, with results generally supporting theoretical predictions that adaptive tests can decrease testing time by about 50% while resulting in more precise measurements in comparison to conventional tests. Item pool and computer hardware and software requirements for adaptive testing are specified, and a microcomputer-based system for implementing adaptive testing in clinical environments is briefly described.