Computerized Adaptive Testing for Student Selection to Higher Education

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to discuss applicability of computerized adaptive testing format as an alternative for current student selection examinations to higher education in Turkey. In the study, first problems associated with current student selection system are given. These problems exerts pressure on students that results in test anxiety, produce measurement experiences that can be criticized, and lessen credibility of student selection system. Next, computerized adaptive test are introduced and advantages they provide are presented. Then results of a study that used two research designs (simulation and live testing) were presented. Results revealed that (i) computerized adaptive format provided a reduction up to 80% in the number of items given to students compared to paper and pencil format of student selection examination, (ii) ability estimations have high reliabilities. Correlations between ability estimations obtained from simulation and traditional format were higher than 0.80. At the end of the study solutions provided by computerized adaptive testing implementation to the current problems were discussed. Also some issues for application of CAT format for student selection examinations in Turkey are given.