Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) was first developed by the US Department of Defense in the early 1960s; it has since become a standard in vocational testing. From the original CAT research, the department created the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), now the world's largest and most-administered test battery. This text traces the history of the Department of Defense's research, development and implementation of the CAT-ASVAB and presents research on the growing areas where this type of test can be used. The CAT-ASVAB has been hailed as a battery which deals successfully with psychometric, economic and political issues. This book sets out ways of using technology to measure and encourage optimum performance. This book traces the development of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) from its origins in the 1960s to its integration with the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in the 1990s. A paper-and-pencil version of the battery (P & P-ASVAB) has been used by the Defense Department since the 1970s to measure the abilities of applicants for military service. The test scores are used both for initial qualification and for classification into entry-level training opportunities. /// This volume provides the developmental history of the CAT-ASVAB through its various stages in the Joint-Service arena. Although the majority of the book concerns the myriad technical issues that were identified and resolved, information is provided on various political and funding support challenges that were successfully overcome in developing, testing, and implementing the battery into one of the nation's largest testing programs. The book provides useful information to professionals in the testing community and everyone interested in personnel assessment and evaluation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved) Computerized Adaptive Testing: From Inquiry to Operation traces the development of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) from its origins in the 1960s to its integration with the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) in the 1990s. A paper-and-pencil version of the battery (P&F-ASVAB) has been used by the Defense Department since the 1970s to measure the abilities of applicants for military service. The test scores are used both for initial qualification and for classification into entry-level training opportunities. This volume provides the developmental history of the CAT-ASVAB through its various stages in the Joint-Service arena. Although the majority of the book concerns the myriad technical issues that were identified and resolved, information is provided on various political and funding support challenges that were successfully overcome in developing, testing, and implementing the battery into one of the nation's largest testing programs. The book provides useful information to professionals in the testing community and everyone interested in personnel assessment and evaluation. This text traces the history of the Department of Defense's research, development and implementation of Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The book demonstrates the use of technology to measure and encourage optimum performance.
