Effects of Empirical Option Weighting on Estimating Domain Scores and Making Pass/Fail Decisions |
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| Abstract: | For any testing program intended for licensure, certification, competency, or proficiency, the estimation of content relevant test scores for pass/fail decision making is necessary. This study compares number-correct scoring to empirical option weighting in the context of such tests. The study was conducted under two test design conditions, three test length conditions, and four passing score levels. Two criteria were used to evaluate the effectiveness of empirical option weighting versus number-correct scoring. Empirical option weighting typically produced slightly more reliable domain score estimates and more consistent pass/fail decisions than number-correct scoring, particularly in the lower half of the test score distribution. For many types of testing programs where the passing scores are established in the lower half of the test score distribution, the empirical option weighting method used in this study seems both appropriate and effective in improving the depend- ability of test scores and the consistency of pass/fail decisions. Test users, however, must weigh the effort required to use option weighting against the small gains obtained with this method. Other problems are discussed that may limit the usefulness of option weighting. |
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