Accession Number:

ADA172021

Title:

MCATL: A Language for Authoring Computerized Adaptive Tests.

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept. 1 Sep 83-11 Nov 85,

Corporate Author:

ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS CORP ST PAUL MN

Personal Author(s):

• Vale,C. D.

Report Date:

1985-11-11

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

The specification of a computerized adaptive test, like the specification of computer-assisted instruction, is easier and can be done by personnel who are not proficient in computer programming if an authoring language is provided. The Minnesota Computerized Adaptive Testing Language MCATL is an authoring language specifically designed for specifying adaptive tests. Its fourteen statements can be grouped into five functions test division, administration control, scoring, reporting, and customizing. The first four categories provide statements for specifying most types of adaptive tests with minimal programming effort the fifth category provides an interface with standard programming languages for tests that cannot be directly specified in MCATL. A formal specification of MCATL in Backus Naur Form and a practical example are provided. Author

Descriptors:

• *PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
• *TEST CONSTRUCTION(PSYCHOLOGY)
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• SPECIFICATIONS
• COMPUTER AIDED INSTRUCTION
• SCORING

Subject Categories:

• Psychology
• Computer Programming and Software

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE