Framework for Developing Multistage Testing With Intersectional Routing for Short-Length Tests.

Multistage testing (MST) has many practical advantages over typical item-level computerized adaptive testing (CAT), but there is a substantial tradeoff when using MST because of its reduced level of adaptability. In typical MST, the first stage almost always performs as a routing stage in which all test takers see a linear test form. If multiple test sections measure different but moderately or highly correlated traits, then a score estimate for one section might be capable of adaptively selecting item modules for following sections without having to administer routing stages repeatedly for each section.

Developing Multistage Tests Using -Scoring Method.

The -scoring method for scoring and equating tests with binary items proposed by Dimitrov offers some of the advantages of item response theory, such as item-level difficulty information and score computation that reflects the item difficulties, while retaining the merits of classical test theory such as the simplicity of number correct score computation and relaxed requirements for model sample sizes. Because of its unique combination of those merits, the -scoring method has seen quick adoption in the educational and psychological measurement field. Because item-level difficulty information is available with the -scoring method and item difficulties are reflected in test scores, it conceptually makes sense to use the -scoring method with adaptive test designs such as multistage testing (MST).