An ATA Model for Multistage Testing

Angela Verschoor

Session 1A, 10:30 - 12:00, HAGEN 2

Despite an already long tradition in Multistage Testing (MST), the construction of one still remains an art: decisions regarding stages, composition of modules and routing that have to be taken are usually based on simple rules of thumb, gut feelings or previous experience. On the other hand, Automated Test Assembly (ATA) provides an excellent framework for many decisions to be optimized in a systematic way: which combination of items fulfills all specifications but still provides the most accurate measurement? Unfortunately, all ATA models devised until now only regard linear tests.

Even for relatively simple situations, questions like “At what length of the first stage in a two-stage test will the measurement error be optimal?” will yield varying answers from experts, while clearly only one answer could be correct.

In this paper, we present an ATA model for MST. The model user only needs to specify a limited set of specifications: next to the “standard” requirements for linear testing (content restrictions, practical considerations, etc.), the model assumes only an outline of the desired MST design: a number of stages, and a number of modules per stage). The other decisions (selection of items into the modules, routing rules) will be optimized in the model. For the objective function, two possibilities are offered: the first objective function assumes a flat threshold for the Fisher information function over a user-defined interval, while the second objection function minimizes the Root Mean Squared Error for a target population. As the model is non-linear, standard LP-approaches to solve these models might be cumbersome. Therefore, local search methods like Genetic Algorithms or Simulated Annealing seem to be more appropriate for this class of models. A very simple local search method will be presented, providing optimal or near-optimal results in short time.

Although results are heavily dependent on the exact constraints and available item pool, the model shows that in general in a two-stage test a relative short first stage will outperform a test with a  longer first stage. Similarly, a 1-3-3 MST will in general outperform a 1-2-4 MST.

Published Sep. 5, 2018 1:31 PM - Last modified Sep. 5, 2018 1:31 PM