linear programming, binary programming, information function, test-design, individualized testing, item bank,

Some test design problems can be seen as combina torial optimization problems. Several suggestions are presented, with various possible applications. Results obtained thus far are promising; the methods suggested can also be used with highly structured test specifica tions.

No abstract

generalizability coefficient, branch-and-bound-algorithm, optimization of decision studies,

Pronunciation is regarded as a valuable subskill in foreign language teaching and testing. Its quality is commonly assessed in a global way by having testees read aloud. A more systematic and explicit approach to evaluation is proposed. The reliability of this so‐called “atomistic” approach is compared with the reliability of a traditional “holistic” procedure. Generalizability theory was applied in order to comprise all relevant factors in one psychometric model. Decision studies were carried out to counter the effects of the number of raters and test length.