Computerized Adaptive Testing - Principles And Directions

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is emerging as a useful alternative to conventional paper-and-peneil group-administered testing. In appropriate environments. CAT offers a number of advantages over conventional testing, and should be considered a viable assessment technique. This paper describes the rationale underlying computerized adaptive testing, discusses the psychometric and technical developments which make it practical, and reviews some previous work which has shaped the current state of the art. The potential advantages, constraints and operational requirements, and possible areas of application, are examined.