Maintaining Content Validity in Computerized Adaptive Testing.

A major advantage of using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is improved measurement efficiency; better score reliability or mastery decisions can result from targeting item selections to the abilities of examinees. However, this type of engineering solution can result in differential content for different examinees at various levels of ability. This paper empirically demonstrates some of the trade-offs which can occur when content balancing is imposed in CAT forms or conversely, when it is ignored.