The Effects of Image Zooming in a Medical Certification Examination

• In Event: Roundtable Session 59
  In Roundtable Session: Using Psychometrics to Optimize Certification Testing

Abstract

Computer-based testing makes possible the integration of innovative forms of digital media such as image zooming for enhancing the fidelity of the examination. The objective of this study is to compare item statistics and response times with and without the image zooming feature and to examine candidates’ post-exam reactions to the image zooming feature. We will use data from a medical certification exam that will be administered in fall 2011 that incorporates 19 items with the image zooming feature and that will be based on approximately 500 candidates. The logistic regression differential item functioning (DIF) method will be used (Swaminathan & Rogers, 1990). This methodology provides a model-based approach for testing the impact of zoomed image item variants on performance.

Authors

• Timothy A. Sares, American Board of Internal Medicine

• Renbang Zhu, American Board of Internal Medicine