A computerized adaptive test (CAT) may be modeled as a closed-loop system, where item selection is influenced by trait level ([theta]) estimation and vice versa. When discrepancies exist between an examinee's estimated and true [theta] levels, nonoptimal item selection is a likely result. Nevertheless, examinee response behavior consistent with optimal item selection can be predicted using item response theory (IRT), without knowledge of an examinee's true [theta] level, yielding a specific reference point for applying an internal correcting or feedback control mechanism. Incorporating such a mechanism in a CAT is shown to be an effective strategy for increasing item selection efficiency. Results from simulation studies using maximum likelihood (ML) and modal a posteriori (MAP) trait-level estimation and Fisher information (FI) and Fisher interval information (FII) item selection are provided. (Contains 2 tables and 7 figures.)