ASSESSMENT OF TEST USER QUALIFICATIONS - A RESEARCH-BASED MEASUREMENTPROCEDURE

The qualifications of test purchasers have been a concern of the Ameri can Psychological Association since 1950, when ethical standards for t est distribution, on the basis of a 3-level classification of tests, w ere developed. The standards relied on professional credentials and on occupational titles to screen test purchasers. In response to widespr ead recognition that credentials and titles were inadequate to screen test purchasers, the Test User Qualifications Working Group used 2 job analysis methods to determine test user competencies. This article de scribes the results of that research that can be applied to improving testing practices, including (a) 86 test user competencies and 7 facto rs accounting for much test misuse, (b) a test classification system b ased on critical incidents of test misuse, and (c) empirically based t est purchaser qualification forms. These products are designed to help achieve responsible test use.