Prototypes of Cognitive Measures for Air Force Officers: Test Development and Item Banking
Abstract
The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), a component of the selection system for officer commissioning programs and aircrew training, undergoes frequent scrutiny for validity, currency, and security. As part of that effort, a project was undertaken to develop measures of cognitive abilities not assessed by the AFOQT. Ten new test prototypes and three existing, unpublished tests were constructed. The objectives for the new tests were to improve linkage with Air Force officer job requirements, improve selection to officer commissioning programs, and expand the AFOQT classification utility beyond that of aircrew ability measurements. Items for all 13 tests were administered to samples of basic airmen; and subsets of newly constructed items for four tests, to samples of officer candidates. Item and test characteristics were evaluated using classical test theory and Item Response Theory analyses. Results were entered into an item banking system designed to store the item text, graphics and statistics for the new tests. Results were promising, with most tests showing moderate to high internal consistency reliability. Some tests were found to be too difficult for airmen, but supplemental data from officer candidates suggested that item difficulty and discrimination statistics would be expected to improve for higher ability examinees in the officer applicant population for which the tests were designed. (kr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA222670
Entities
People
- Frances R. Berger
- Jacobina Skinner
- Raymond M. Berger
- Willa B. Gupta