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The Introduction and Comparability of the Computer Adaptive GRE General Test GREB GRE

Author(s):
Durso, Robin; Golub-Smith, Marna L.; Mills, Craig N.; Schaeffer, Gary A.; Steffen, Manfred
Publication Year:
1995
Report Number:
RR-95-20
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
55
Subject/Key Words:
Graduate Record Examinations Board, Adaptive Testing, Computer Assisted Testing, Equated Scores, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Test Equivalence

Abstract

This report summarizes the results from two studies. The first study assessed the comparability of scores derived from linear computer-based (CBT) and computer adaptive (CAT) versions of the three GRE General Test measures. The verbal and quantitative CATs were found to produce scores that were comparable to their CBT counterparts. However, the analytical CAT produced scores that were judged not to be comparable to the analytical CBT scores. As a result, a second study was performed to further examine the analytical measure to ascertain the extent of the lack of comparability and to obtain statistics that would permit adjustments to restore comparability. Results of the additional study of the analytical measure indicated that the differences in analytical CAT and CBT scores due to the testing paradigm were large enough to require an adjustment in scores. Therefore, in order to enhance the comparability of analytical CAT and CBT scores, the analytical CAT was equated to the analytical CBT. This equating provided new analytical CAT conversions that resulted in comparable analytical CAT and CBT scores.

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