skip to main content skip to footer

A Preliminary Investigation of Three Compromise Methods for Establishing Cut-Off Scores

Author(s):
Mills, Craig N.; Melican, Gerald J.
Publication Year:
1987
Report Number:
RR-87-14
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
152
Subject/Key Words:
Beuk Method, Cutting Scores, DeGruijter Method, Hofstee Method, Scoring Formulas

Abstract

Most ETS certification and licensing programs that use cut-scores establish them using judgmental procedures such as Angoff's or Nedelsky's methods. It has been suggested that iterative and/or normative procedures may yield results that are more consistent across judges and are more realistic in reference to the levels of performance demonstrated in the examinee pool. This preliminary report describes three compromise methods that show promise (i.e., methods that incorporate both judges' estimates of an absolute cut-off and pass rates in establishing a cut-off score). Further research is being conducted. (152pp.)

Read More