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ERIC Number: EJ988829
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0731-1745
EISSN: N/A
The Contestant Perspective on Taking Tests: Emanations from the Statue within
Dorans, Neil J.
Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, v31 n4 p20-37 Win 2012
Views on testing--its purpose and uses and how its data are analyzed--are related to one's perspective on test takers. Test takers can be viewed as learners, examinees, or contestants. I briefly discuss the perspective of test takers as learners. I maintain that much of psychometrics views test takers as examinees. I discuss test takers as a contestant in some detail. Test takers who are contestants in high-stakes settings want reliable outcomes obtained via acceptable scoring of tests administered under clear rules. In addition, it is essential to empirically verify interpretations attached to scores. At the very least, item and test scores should exhibit certain invariance properties. I note that the "do no harm" dictum borrowed from the field of medicine is particularly relevant to the perspective of test takers as contestants. (Contains 4 figures, 2 tables, and 12 notes.)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: ACT Assessment; Graduate Record Examinations; Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test; SAT (College Admission Test)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A