A computer assisted test assembly system for medical technology examinations.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Educational Technology
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Traditional test creation is time-consuming and resource-intensive.
• Aligning assessments with specific instructional objectives can be challenging.
• Existing methods may lack efficiency in large-scale educational programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the establishment and implementation of a computer-assisted test assembly (CATA) system.
• To present CATA as an alternative to traditional paper-and-pencil examinations.
• To demonstrate the system's correlation with instructional objectives.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a CATA system at the University of Iowa Medical Technology Program.
• Development of coding to link test items with specific instructional objectives.
• Utilizing the system for mass examination production and analysis.

Main Results:

• The CATA system facilitates mass production and correction of examinations.
• The system generates accumulative item analyses for continuous improvement.
• Significant savings in financial resources, faculty time, and clerical support were achieved.

Conclusions:

• The CATA system effectively integrates the evaluation process with instructional objectives.
• This computerized approach offers a viable alternative for medical technology programs.
• CATA enhances efficiency and resource management in educational assessment.