Comparative Racial Analysis of Enlisted Advancement Exams: Item Differentiation

A comparative racial analysis of item differentiation was conducted to determine whether advancement exam items are similarly differentiating between good and poor performers of racial groups. Techniques were also investigated to improve test quality as measured by item differentiation or test reliability. The study specifically investigated (1) the difference in item differentiation between Blacks and Whites, (2) item-difficulty levels that yield maximum item differentiation, (3) the impact on item differentiation from constructing tests with particular types of items deleted, and (4) exam construction or processing procedures which would raise test quality for both Blacks and Whites.
See also report dated Jul 1975, ADA014549.