Refinement of the Computerized Adaptive Screening Test
Abstract
The Computerized Adaptive Screening Test (CAST) is used for predicting performance on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT). The goal of this project is to expand the existing item pool, balance usage of the test items, improve score reporting, and allow the item pool to be updated periodically. Existing items were reviewed, and new items were developed. Both new and existing items were administered to a sample of 20,000 newly enlisted soldiers and to another sample of 3,5000 prospects. The results showed that (1) the new items had good psychometric properties, (2) a limited number of items were biased (and were eliminated), and (3) the test was valid overall, and fair for blacks and females. A number of software enhancements were implemented. To prevent item overuse, the software was modified to prevent selection from a subset of initial items and to sample items organized into strata according to item difficulty. CAST will now produce test results that show probabilities of attaining scores in the AFQT category scores of 1-3A, 3B, or 4-5. Software implementations also included provisions for adding experimental items and collecting item calibration data.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA231437
Entities
People
- James R McBride
- Jeffrey J. Mchenry
- Lauress L. Wise
- Philip L. Szenas
- Wei J. Chia
Organizations
- American Institutes for Research