Test taking irregularities can be attributed to a variety of factors.
Testing irregularities are difficult to categorize or even locate as each test type and test taker are different. Irregularities are important to find, however, as they can reveal holes in education or work practices that can potentially compromise job or educational production. Find test irregularities through common practices such as observation and moderator and student education. Naivety is a common contributing factor to test irregularities. Before any type of test is administered, make the test takers aware of the test rules and regulations.
Instructions
1. Check that you have been given the correct test to give the takers. If the test packet was confused with another packet, then the scores of the test takers will vary far from expectations. Check the subject matter and look at possible practice tests that you may have given the test takers. If these two are similar, you most likely have the appropriate tests.
2. Compare the number of actual test scores, with the number that of scores that were expected. Any missing test scores should be recorded, and the test should be administered to the missing parties on a later date. Incomplete numbers can be attributed to test taker absences or to the moderator withholding the test from certain individuals. Some businesses or schools try to withhold the tests from some students or workers in order to skew numbers so that the business or school appears to be more successful.
3. Hire professionals or use computer programs to interpret test scores versus question difficulty. Irregularities occur when the test questions vary in difficulty between test takers. If test takers 12 and 14 have a more difficult essay question than test takers 5 and 7, irregularities are bound to occur in performance. The same principal applies for multiple choice questions. Test questions should be at the same degree of difficulty for all test takers.
4. Check each test to ensure that it is complete before handing the test out to the test takers. If some tests have only been partially printed, this will affect scoring. Make sure the same test is being given to all test takers. Though the actual questions may vary to prevent cheating, all tests should be of the same year and model.
Tags: test takers, test scores, each test, given test, given test takers
