Testing Guidelines - Guidelines for Computer-Based Testing - Part 1: Background & Explanations

Sep 25, 2026

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Guidelines for computer-based testing outline recommended practices for planning, validating, developing, and administering secure and fair assessments. The document clarifies intended audiences and distinguishes testing environments by stakes, response types, and administration models. It provides structured coverage of validity, test design, needs analysis, validation plans, hardware and software specifications, evaluation plans, item banking, test assembly, fairness, analysis, and tracking and monitoring. Copyright and citation notice are included, with legal disclaimers directing readers to professional counsel.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

PART 1: BACKGROUND & EXPLANATIONS

Chapter 1: Introduction

Audiences for the Guidelines

Computer-based Testing

Test Administration Models

Test-Taker Response Type

Low- and High-Stakes Testing Environments

Scope of the Guidelines

Overview

Chapter 2: Validity and Test Design

Planning the Test

Testing Purpose

Needs Analysis

Validation Plan

Test Specifications

The Job/Task Analysis

Hardware and Software Specifications

Evaluation Plan

Chapter 3: Test Development and Analysis

Item Banking

Test Assembly

Test Fairness

Item and Test Analysis

Tracking and Monitoring

Chapter 4: Test Administration

Guidelines for Test Administration

Testing Guidelines Guidelines for Computer-Based Testing Acknowledgements I would like to thank the tireless efforts of a number of individuals in putting together this first edition of the Guidelines for Computer Based Testing. This was an effort that was started in 1999 and involved numerous meetings, the backing of a number of organizations, many draftsand the selfless dedication of a group of professionals who had tasked themselves with the goal of spearheading this important effort. I would also like to thank the members of the Association of Test Publishers and others in the measurement community who provided feedback on the Guidelines. So, without further ado, I would like to first thank James Olsen, Vice Chair of the Computer Based Testing (“CBT”) Guidelines Committee along with the following individuals and organizations who contributed so significantly to this publication: Contributors: James Adair (deceased), David Arnold, Betty Bergstrom, Michael Callans, Jerry Christensen, Alan Epstein, David Foster, John Fremer, Richard Gershon, Kathy Gialluca, Wade Gibson, Arana Greenberg, Steve Greenfield, Chris Gruber, William G. Harris, Lee Hayes, Lauren Hebert, Michelle Issing, J. Patrick Jones, G. Gage Kingsbury, Jamie Mulkey, Larry Newman (deceased), Bror Saxberg, Michael Segovia, Lauren Scheib, Janice Scheuneman, Eric Shepherd, Alan Thiemann, Eric Wenck, Kathleen Williams and Anthony Zara. Companies: Alpine Media Corporation, American Guidance Service, Assessment Systems Inc., Association of Test Publishers, Consulting Psychologists Press, Designing Events, Educational Testing Service, Excelsior College, Hewlett Packard, IBM Lotus, Knowledge Testing Enterprises, Knowledge Universe, Microsoft Corporation, NASD Regulation, Northwest Evaluation Association, PES, Performance Testing Summit, Promissor, Psychological Services Inc (PSI), Pearson Reid London House,Quality Assessment Services, Questionmark, Richard Gershon Associates, Thiemann, Aitken & Vohra, L.L.C., Thomson Prometric, VUE/NCSPearson, Western Psychological Services, Wonderlic, Inc. Again, my heartfelt thanks for your time, expertise and support. (And my sincere apologies if I have inadvertantly left any individual or entity off this list!) Cyndy Fitzgerald, Ph.D. Microsoft Corporation Chair, CBT Guidelines Committee ATP Chairman of the Board, 2002-2003 This document contains recommended guidelines for computer-based testing. Nothing contained herein should be interpreted as legal advice or legal opinion. These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with other professional and legal guidelines for the proper implementation of computer-based tests. If you have legal questions, please consult an attorney. Notice: This publication is protected by copyright law. It may, however, be quoted so long asthe following acknowledgment is included: This material comes from Guidelines for ComputerBased Testing, Copyright 2002 Association of Test Publishers. Table of Contents PART 1: BACKGROUND & EXPLANATIONS Chapter 1: Introduction.................................................................................................. 1 Audiences for the Guidelines......................................................................................... 1 Computer-based Testing............................................................................................... 2 Test Administration Models.............................................................................. 2 Test-Taker Response Type ................................................................................ 2 Low-and High-Stakes Testing Environments ...................................................... 3 Scope of the Guidelines............................................................................................... 3 Overview.................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Validi

FAQs

Who is the intended audience for these guidelines?

The document specifies audiences for the guidelines, covering stakeholders involved in implementing computer-based tests.

What topics are covered under validity and test design?

It addresses planning the test, testing purpose, needs analysis, validation plans, test specifications, job/task analysis, hardware and software specifications, and evaluation plans.

How do the guidelines approach test development, analysis, and fairness?

They include item banking, test assembly, test fairness, item and test analysis, and tracking and monitoring.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Fans