Automated Item Generation: The Future of Medical Education Assessment

Abstract

A major innovation in psychometric science, termed automated item generation (AIG), holds the potential to revolutionise assessment in medical education. In short, AIG involves leveraging the expertise of content specialists, item templates, and computer algorithms to create a variety of item permutations, often resulting in hundreds or thousands of new items based on a single item model. AIG may significantly improve item writing capabilities, reduce human error, streamline efficiencies, and reduce costs for individuals in the medical and health professions. Thus, the purpose of this work is to provide readers with a current overview of AIG and discuss its potential advantages, future possibilities, and current limitations.