Computer-Based Test Delivery Models, Data, and Operational Implementation Issues

Abstract

This chapter discusses four classes of systems and processes that broadly cover most of the computer-based test (CBT) operations: the data structures and repositories, data transmission channels, infrastructure, and interactivity, test delivery models and drivers, and psychometric analysis and scoring. It discusses some fundamental system requirements related to the movement of data between systems and the nature of the facilities and devices that make up the assessment infrastructure. The growing popularity of computer-adaptive multistage testing (caMST) is based on the model’s strong quality-control capabilities, which minimize operational data and system processing loads, because the underlying data structures are specifically designed to be object-oriented design (OOD) compliant and minimize run-time data transmission and processing loads. The chapter focus on robust assessment designs and making decisions that consider the data structures, infrastructures, and issues related to efficient data transmission and exchange, they can perhaps minimize the pitfalls.