Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT): Item and Factor Analysis of Form O.

The item characteristics and factor structure of Form 0 of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test AFQQT were investigated. Information on test difficulty, discrimination, reliability, speededness, and factor structure was obtained to guide developments and improvements in future versions of the AFOQT. Test responses of a random sample of 3,000 officer applicants examined between September 1981 and September 1985 were analyzed. True score theory and Item Response Theory analytic techniques revealed that AFOQT Form O is a moderately difficult test with no extremely easy subtests. Most test items have adequate ability discrimination power. Items grouped in subtests are relatively homogeneous, and subtest scores have acceptable internal consistency reliability. Three of the 16 subtests in the battery fit the model of a power test, but most exhibit a speeded component. A factor analysis identified five ability dimensions which were judged to well represent the content of major aptitude composites derived from the AFOQT. Recommendations to improve the structure of future forms included upgrading item discrimination and maximizing test information value by raising or lowering test difficulty in selected subtests to better match applicant ability. Parallel factor structure should be maintained in future tests. Following-on research on samples of aircrew applicants is warranted.