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Why the Major Field Test in Business Does Not Report Subscores: Reliability and Construct Validity Evidence

Author(s):
Ling, Guangming
Publication Year:
2012
Report Number:
RR-12-11
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
26
Subject/Key Words:
Major Field Test in Business, Subscores, Reliability, Augmented Score, Internal Structure

Abstract

To assess the value of individual students’ subscores on the Major Field Test in Business (MFT Business), I examined the test’s internal structure with factor analysis and structural equation model methods, and analyzed the subscore reliabilities using the augmented scores method. Analyses of the internal structure suggested that the MFT Business measures a unidimensional construct, which does not support reporting individual students’ subscores. Augmented score analyses revealed that the observed total score could approximate the true subscore more accurately than the observed subscores, which do not support reporting individuals’ subscores either. The results from these two approaches provided consistent evidence in support of the current practice of not reporting individuals’ subscores on the MFT Business. The relationship between the two approaches is discussed, followed by a recommendation of an alternate method for future research.

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