Computerized test development software a comparative review

Nurse educators, searching for the best use of technology to facilitate the development and administration of tests, are confronted with a wide variety of computerized test development programs from which to choose. This article provides a comparative review of seven commercially available computerized test development programs: A+ Test Manager and Test Taker, AUTOGENT, CATSoftware System, LXR*TEST, MicroCAT, Question Designer for Windows, and Test Construction Set. Criteria for evaluating these programs including ease of use, psychometric properties, security, and system requirements are discussed. Issues associated with the implementation of computerized test development and computerized test administration are considered. It is imperative that nurse educators understand their goals for computerized test development and administration in the context of their own setting before purchasing a program.