3. Design a Pilot Test. Following are descriptions of three situations in which a test has been developed. Read each situation and then design a pilot test. Answer the following questions about the pilot test:

a. Who will take the test?
b. What information will you gather, and how will you gather it?
c. What should the testing environment be like?
d. Who should administer the test?
e. Do you foresee any problems that need to be investigated during the pilot test?

Situation 1. The admissions office at your college has developed a test for incoming students. The purpose of the test is to identify students who may have difficulty in adapting to campus life at your college. The college accepts students of both traditional and nontraditional ages with varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The 50-item test has a multiple choice format that can be scored using an electronic scan system. The admissions office plans to include the test in its application package and will ask prospective students to return the test with their applications.

Situation 2. Dr. Query has a local clinical practice for individuals who show signs of depression. She has noticed that some of her clients do better when they participate in group interventions, and others make more progress when she sees them individually. She has developed a 20-minute intake interview that can be conducted by a graduate assistant or caseworker in her office. The purpose of the interview is to identify the type of treatment (group or individual) that is likely to work best for each client.

Situation 3. AAAA Accounting prepares individual and corporate tax returns. The company has developed a test to measure knowledge of federal income tax law that it wants to use to hire tax preparers. The test has 400 items, 100 of which require calculations. The test will be administered in the company’s offices when prospective employees apply to be tax preparers.

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Situation 1: Designing a pilot test for the admissions office at your college.

a. Who will take the test?
Incoming students who are applying to the college.

b. What information will you gather, and how will you gather it?
The purpose of the test is to identify students who may have difficulty adapting to campus life. You can gather information about their adaptability by including questions that assess their problem-solving skills, ability to handle stressful situations, time management skills, and interpersonal skills. The information can be gathered through a multiple-choice format with options that test these specific skills.

c. What should the testing environment be like?
The testing environment should be quiet and distraction-free to ensure that students can focus on the test. It would be ideal to have a designated testing area, such as a computer lab or a room with individual cubicles.

d. Who should administer the test?
The test can be self-administered by the students. They can receive the test as part of their application package and complete it at their convenience within a specified timeframe.

e. Do you foresee any problems that need to be investigated during the pilot test?
During the pilot test, you should investigate if the test accurately measures the desired traits or skills of adaptability. It would be useful to collect feedback from the students regarding the clarity of the questions, the time required to complete the test, and whether they believe the test accurately reflects their ability to adapt to campus life.

Situation 2: Designing a pilot test for Dr. Query's local clinical practice.

a. Who will take the test?
Clients who show signs of depression and are seeking treatment at Dr. Query's practice.

b. What information will you gather, and how will you gather it?
The purpose of the test is to identify the type of treatment (group or individual) that is likely to work best for each client. You can gather information about their preferences, comfort in a group setting, ability to express themselves, and openness to sharing personal experiences. This can be done through a structured interview format where the graduate assistant or caseworker asks specific questions related to these aspects.

c. What should the testing environment be like?
The testing environment should be comfortable and private to ensure that clients can freely express themselves and provide honest answers. It is important to create a safe and confidential space where clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences.

d. Who should administer the test?
The test can be administered by a graduate assistant or caseworker in Dr. Query's office who is trained to conduct the interview and gather the necessary information.

e. Do you foresee any problems that need to be investigated during the pilot test?
During the pilot test, you should investigate the effectiveness of the interview questions in determining the best treatment approach for each client. You should also assess whether the clients feel comfortable and safe during the interview process and whether they find it helpful in making decisions about their treatment.

Situation 3: Designing a pilot test for AAAA Accounting.

a. Who will take the test?
Prospective employees applying to be tax preparers at AAAA Accounting.

b. What information will you gather, and how will you gather it?
The purpose of the test is to measure knowledge of federal income tax law. You can gather information about applicants' knowledge by including questions that assess their understanding of tax code, deductions, exemptions, and calculations. The information can be gathered through a combination of multiple-choice questions and questions that require the applicants to perform tax calculations.

c. What should the testing environment be like?
The testing environment should be quiet and professional to ensure that applicants can concentrate on the test. It is recommended to have a designated testing area within the company's offices, such as a conference room or a dedicated computer lab.

d. Who should administer the test?
The test can be administered by designated staff members within AAAA Accounting, such as HR personnel or experienced tax preparers who can ensure the test is conducted fairly and accurately.

e. Do you foresee any problems that need to be investigated during the pilot test?
During the pilot test, you should investigate if the test accurately measures the applicants' knowledge of federal income tax law. Collect feedback from the applicants regarding the clarity of questions, the adequacy of time provided, and whether the test adequately reflects the skills and knowledge required for the tax preparer role.