Programs; Test Use IDENTIFIERS *Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

In the summer of 1996, the U.S. Armed Services will implement the computerized adaptive testing version of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (CAT-ASVAB). When conversion is completed at the 65 targeted military entrance processing stations, about half the applicants will take this test version. This paper describes the efforts that led to the decision to implement the CAT-ASVAB, progress in its implementation, and the next steps in research on improvements in Department of Defense testing programs. The adaptive nature of the new format significantly reduces the time required to determine aptitudes of examinees as well as time to obtain official scores of record. Estimation of potential cost savings ied to'the decision to implement the computerized version. Hardware and software requirements were determined, and the adaptive version of the test, which allows items to be presented to the applicant based on his or her success in answering previous questions, was developed. If implementation progresses as expected, use of the computerized test will be expanded to other military evaluation sites. (Contains two references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document