Specifying the Characteristics of a Test

Abstract

During this transitional period in testing practices, many tests have been designed and constructed using classical test theory principles but have been analyzed via item response theory procedures. This lack of congruence between the construction and analysis procedures has resulted in the full power of item response theory not being exploited. In order to obtain the many advantages of item response theory, tests should be designed, constructed, analyzed, and interpreted within the framework of the theory. Consequently, the goal of this chapter is to provide the reader with experience in the technical aspects of test construction within the framework of item response theory.