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Ensuring the Fairness of GRE Analytical Writing Measure Prompts: Assessing Differential Difficulty GRE DIF

Author(s):
Broer, Markus; Lee, Yong-Won; Rizavi, Saba; Powers, Donald E.
Publication Year:
2014
Source:
Wendler, Cathy; Bridgeman, Brent (eds.) with assistance from Chelsea Ezzo. The Research Foundation for the GRE revised General Test: A Compendium of Studies. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service, 2014, p6.4.1-6.4.4
Document Type:
Chapter
Page Count:
4
Subject/Key Words:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Revised GRE, Graduate Admissions, Analytical Writing Assessment, Writing Prompts, Differential Item Functioning (DIF), Differential Item Difficulty, Group Differences, Minority Groups, Gender Differences, Test Takers, Test Fairness

Abstract

Even though the study found a range of DIF values across prompts, no prompt appeared to have a substantially higher DIF value than the other prompts. However, the study found that some combinations of issue and argument prompts should be avoided operationally. Results provide support for continuing sensitivity reviews as part of the GRE revised General Test to ensure that new prompts are appropriate for all test takers.

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