[IPAC-List] Item and Test writing

[Lance Seberhagen]

Face validity does not necessarily increase reading level.  One picture is worth 1,000 words.  Use short paragraphs, short sentences, short words, & plain English.  Provide a generous time limit.  That said, face validity is not always needed to make a reliable, valid, & fair test when applicants are expected to have limited reading skills. 


Lance Seberhagen, Ph.D. 
Seberhagen & Associates 
9021 Trailridge Ct 
Vienna, VA 22182 
Tel 703-790-0796 
www.seberhagen.com <http://www.seberhagen.com/> 

 

From: IPAC-List <ipac-list-bounces at ipacweb.org> On Behalf Of Dennis Doverspike
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2020 1:29 PM
To: IPAC-List <IPAC-List at ipacweb.org>
Subject: [IPAC-List] Item and Test writing

 

IPAC list and others

 

I am interested on people's opinion on this, and if you know of research on this all the better,

 

For jobs where the applicants are expected to have limited reading ability skills.

 

Would you be more likely to write items, go with items, or prefer items that 

 

1) reduce the amount of face valid content and context and thus reading level

 

2) increase the amount of face valid content and context and thus increase reading level (and also follow strict item writing rules)

 

For example for a test for a general laborer

 

1) Low content and low reading level

 

2 + 2 = 

 

2) High content and high reading level for a test for general laborer 

 

A laborer has a piece of wood that is  two inches long and needs to attach it to another piece of wood that is two inches long. How long will the board be once the pieces of wood are attached?

 

another one

 

1) What tool would you use to attach two pieces of wood?

 

2) A coworker is struggling to get two pieces of wood to stick together. The coworker asks a laborer how the coworker should attach the two pieces of wood. The laborer should indicate that the best tool to use to attach two pieces of wood would be:

 

Dennis

 

 

-- 

Dennis Doverspike, PhD., ABPP
 <mailto:dennisdoverspike at gmail.com> dennisdoverspike at gmail.com

Principled Progress Through People Science

 

Doverspike Consulting LLC:

HR Litehouse (DBA)

Chief People Scientist

Mailing:

PO Box 1788

Stow, OH 44224-0788

330-690-3534

Email: dennisdoverspike at gmail.com <mailto:dennisdoverspike at gmail.com> 

 

Personal:

Dennis Doverspike

3171 N. Dover Road

Silver Lake, Ohio 44224

330-690-3534

 <mailto:dennis_doverspike at yahoo.com> dennisdoverspike at gmail.com 

 

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