It Depends: Understanding Psychometrics for Testing + Assessment, by Dr. Amanda Dainis + Tim Burnett

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This episode of the It Depends Podcast examines criterion referenced testing, norm referenced testing, computer adaptive testing (CAT), and linear on-the-fly testing (LOFT). Amanda and Tim explore the key differences between these assessment types, their applications, and considerations for implementation. Key questions answered: What is the difference between criterion and norm referenced testing...

This episode of the It Depends Podcast compares online proctoring and test centres for assessment delivery. Amanda and Tim explore the advantages and challenges of both methods, discussing candidate experience, technology reliability, security concerns, and cost factors. They debate the misconceptions surrounding each approach and emphasise the importance of considering an organisation's speci...

This episode of the It Depends Podcast explores testing on a budget, from test development to secure delivery. Amanda and Tim discuss testing on a budget, exploring various ways organisations can implement and maintain testing programs without necessarily investing in expensive, large-scale platforms. Key questions answered: Are big vendor platforms always the best option for your organisation if...

This episode of the It Depends Podcast explores performance-based testing in professional certification and licensure. Amanda and Tim discuss the benefits and challenges of performance tests compared to traditional knowledge-based exams, covering various assessment types, implementation considerations, costs, and future trends in performance-based assessment. Key questions answered: What is perfor...

Top Episode Takeaways: 📈 Test maintenance involves regularly monitoring test and item performance statistics to ensure content remains current and secure, and should be conducted annually at minimum or as frequently as monthly for large programs. 🔍 The more frequently a test is administered, the more often maintenance should be performed, including reviewing key test-level statistics, item-level...

Top Episode Takeaways: 📐 Test blueprints provide the overall design and structure for an assessment. They define what content areas the test will cover and what proportion of the test each content area should comprise. Having a blueprint helps ensure the test adequately measures the intended knowledge and skills in a balanced way that reflects their importance. 🎯 Blueprints should be created for...

Top Episode Takeaways: 📝 Multiple choice questions are the most common item type, but they can be done well or poorly. A good multiple choice question takes effort to create but can measure a wide range of knowledge and skills. 🎥 Technology-enhanced items (e.g., audio/video clips, drag-and-drop) can make assessments more engaging, but they should be used purposefully to measure relevant skills,...

Top Episode Takeaways: ✂️ Cut scores are important decision points in criterion-referenced tests that categorize test takers as passing or failing. They should be set thoughtfully using a defensible process, not arbitrarily (e.g. always using 70%). Setting the cut score too high or low can have significant consequences. 📏 The Angoff method is a common way to set cut scores. It involves having sub...

Top Episode Takeaways: 🤝 Tactics for negotiation - Ask vendors about integration costs upfront, and use your accreditation status as leverage or potential for publicity. Sometimes, size does matter. Too big and you're one among many, too small and they can't keep up. 📁 Importance of owning your data and access - Ensure you can export items, stats, and raw response data. This relationship...

Top Episode Takeaways: 🧠 Importance of Job Task Analysis (JTA) in Psychometrics : The podcast emphasizes the critical role of JTA in creating and updating certification exams. JTA helps ensure that exam questions are relevant and representative of the actual knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job. 🤝 Role of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) : SMEs are vital in the JTA process. Their i...

Top Episode Takeaways: 🤝 Meet the Experts: Discover the unique backgrounds and expertise of hosts Tim Burnett and Dr. Amanda Dainis. 📊 Behind the Tests: Uncover the intricate process of test development and what makes a good test. 🌟 Breaking Stereotypes: Learn how psychometrics is more than just dry statistics – it's a field filled with creativity and real-world impact. Get the full transcr...