Assessing Test Speededness: An Analysis of the Multistate Bar Examination

• In Event: 32.033 - Frontiers and Issues in Written Tests

Abstract

This study explores methods, including the Gulliksen’s (1950) and Stafford’s (1971) indices, and Bejar’s (1985) Q plots, for assessing test speededness using data from the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). The validity of MBE is also examined from the perspective of test speededness. Results of Gulliksen’s and Stafford’s methods indicate that the MBE is not speeded in the sense that a substantial number of examinees respond to all the items in MBE sessions. The full paper will provide results of Bejar’s Q plots, which evaluate test speededness in situations where examinees randomly respond to the items near the end of a test or not fully consider, but rather, rapidly guess or skip the most difficult items when test speededness occurs.

Authors

• Juan Chen, National Conference of Bar Examiners

• Mark A. Albanese, National Conference of Bar Examiners