TitleThe relationship between item exposure and test overlap in computerized adaptive testing
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
AuthorsChen, S-Y, Ankenmann, RD, Spray, JA
JournalJournal of Educational Measurement
Volume40
Number2
Pagination129-145
Publication Languageeng
Keywords(Statistical), Adaptive Testing, Computer Assisted Testing, Human Computer, Interaction computerized adaptive testing, Item Analysis, Item Analysis (Test), Test Items
Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present an analytical derivation for the mathematical form of an average between-test overlap index as a function of the item exposure index, for fixed-length computerized adaptive tests (CATs). This algebraic relationship is used to investigate the simultaneous control of item exposure at both the item and test levels. The results indicate that, in fixed-length CATs, control of the average between-test overlap is achieved via the mean and variance of the item exposure rates of the items that constitute the CAT item pool. The mean of the item exposure rates is easily manipulated. Control over the variance of the item exposure rates can be achieved via the maximum item exposure rate (r-sub(max)). Therefore, item exposure control methods which implement a specification of r-sub(max) (e.g., J. B. Sympson and R. D. Hetter, 1985) provide the most direct control at both the item and test levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA )