Development of Occupational Therapy Proficiency Examinations. Therapist Level, Assistant Level. Final Report.

Criterion-referenced proficiency examinations have been prepared for entry level occupational therapists and entry level occupational therapy assistants. Item development was based on a task inventory solicited from occupational therapists throughout the country, with six occupational therapists reviewing test development. A small scale pilot test was administered to a total of 233 individuals and a pretest was later administered to 782 individuals including those employed in related fields and a comparison group of college freshman at 23 test sites around the country. Testing methodology and data results are presented, and three parallel forms of each examination resulted. Audiovisuals, simulators, and related materials were explored for the tests, with line drawings being chosen for use, and recommendations made for further research in this area. Problems encountered during the test development are discussed. Recommendations state that further external validation and associated test development should proceed before satisfactory performance standards can be established. Appended material takes up two-thirds of the document and includes: test blueprints, therapists tasks, assistant tasks, item writers packet, reviewers instructions, item writers, item reviewers, pretest site coordinators, final forms-difficulty levels, and American Occupational Therapy Association policies and procedures. (LH)