MCATL (Minnesota Computerized Adaptive Testing Language): A Language for Authoring Computerized Adaptive Tests

摘要

The specification of a computerized adaptive test, like the specification of computer-assisted instruction, is easier and can be done by personnel who are not proficient in computer programming if an authoring language is provided. The Minnesota Computerized Adaptive Testing Language (MCATL) is an authoring language specifically designed for specifying adaptive tests. Its fourteen statements can be grouped into five functions: test division, administration control, scoring, reporting, and customizing. The first four categories provide statements for specifying most types of adaptive tests with minimal programming effort; the fifth category provides an interface with standard programming languages for tests that cannot be directly specified in MCATL. A formal specification of MCATL in Backus Naur Form and a practical example are provided. (Author)