Erica Abangan

Computer Adaptive Testing

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

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.

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

Relevance to Educators

• Performance Based Assessment• Helps distinguish specific skills in various subject

areas• Pre-assessment or post-assessment tool• Enrichment or remediation

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

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

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

EXAMPLE• https://smarttrack.kaplankids.com/smarttra

ck/

• http://edperformance.com/

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