Evaluación diagnóstica sobre los conocimientos generales mostrados por los estudiantes que egresaron de la educación secundaria en 2013.

The objectives of this research, was to develop and implement a diagnostic assessment instrument to assesses general knowledge shown by students graduating from secondary education, applied in 2013. The instrument is analyzed by classical analysis procedures and Item Response Theory. Classical analysis results are compared with those obtained by Rasch analysis. Finally, the results of the diagnostic evaluation are analyzed in context for identifying training needs of junior high school recent graduates and for supporting decision making about their necessary preparatory courses in order to improve the students' performance in their academic and working life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]