Validity evaluation of a mock examination including multimedia-assisted items for the Korean Nursing Licensing...

This study aimed to evaluate the validity of multimedia-assisted items (MAIs) in a mock examination by examining their psychometric properties and nursing students' perceptions.

This methodological study used a within-group counterbalanced design in which fourth-year nursing students in South Korea completed an online mock examination consisting of paired text-based items and MAIs. Psychometric properties were examined using classical test theory and item response theory, and learner perceptions and response processes were explored through post-examination surveys and focus group interviews.

Among 515 participants, MAIs demonstrated overall difficulty and discrimination comparable to those of text-based items in both classical test theory and item response theory analyses, with similar test characteristic curves across counterbalanced groups, supporting measurement equivalence across item formats. Post-test surveys indicated that participants perceived MAIs as realistic reflections of clinical practice and as more helpful for problem solving and ability assessment than text-based items. Qualitative findings from focus group interviews (n=15) further supported the educational value of MAIs for assessing clinical judgment while emphasizing the need for appropriate multimedia use. An order effect was also observed: presenting MAIs first led to higher item response theory discrimination parameters in subsequent text-based items (P=0.020).

MAIs demonstrated psychometric properties comparable to those of text-based items and were positively perceived as valid tools for assessing clinical judgment and practical competence. These findings support the feasibility of incorporating multimedia-based assessment into the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination as part of a rigorous computer-based testing framework.