Is Test Theory Ready for a New Generation of Tests?

Abstract

Originally published in Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books, 1994, Vol 39(4), 425–426. Reviews the book, Test Theory for a New Generation of Tests edited by Norman Frederiksen, Robert J. Mislevy, and Isaac I. Bejar (1993). In this edited volume, Frederiksen, Mislevy, and Bejar seek to “consider a variety of directions in which standard test theory might be extended”, because, as they argue, classical test theory does not adequately reflect our current understanding of human cognition, nor does it address applied educational questions. In addition to the focus on test theory, several of the chapters assume prior knowledge of the cognitive psychology literature in problem solving, expertnovice differences, rule learning, schema theory, and complex conceptual understanding. Unfortunately, despite the promise implicit in the title, the chasm between psychology and education has not yet been bridged. The new generation of tests, and the theory to support it, are still beyond the horizon. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)