Computerized Classification Testing and Its Relationship to the Testing Goal

Assessment can serve different goals. If the aim of testing is to classify respondents into one of multiple levels instead of obtaining a precise estimate of the respondent’s ability, computerized classification testing can be used. This type of testing requires algorithms for item selection and making the classification decision. The result of the test administration is provided in a report about the decision with sometimes additional feedback. The design of all these components of the test should be in line with the testing goal. Several goals have been defined for assessment which make a judgment about: pupils, the learning process, groups of students and schools, and the quality of education. The possibilities for use of computerized classification testing for different testing goals are investigated in the current paper