Test creation (WAS: Re: Accredited programs in TX)

November 30, 2007

The creation of a valid and relevant written test for anything is not as

easy as some feel or think it is. I had the opportunity in January of this year

to spend 3 days in Florida working as an SME developing test questions for a

Hazardous materials certification. They spent a full day teaching us how to

write what the psychometric academic types in the test development firm could

validate using academic principles that the world of psychometrics would

accept. There were PhD level folks and they spent a LOT of time teaching us

much

of what we thought we know about test development was dead wrong and showing

us why and how they could prove it. Everyone in the room that were on the

SME panel were 20+ year pros at their are, certified instructors, course

developers and well very good at what they did in their field. Not a slouch

among

them (maybe I was the lowest common denominator in that room?) and we all

learned a LOT about this testing processes called psychometrics.

Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

Owner and President of LNM Emergency Services Consulting Services (LNMECS)

Freelance Consultant/Trainer/Author/Journalist/Fire Protection Consultant

LNMolino@...

(Cell Phone)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Office)

(IFW/TFW/FSS Fax)

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