A comparison of item exposure control methods in computerized adaptive testing

Two new methods for item exposure control were proposed. In the Progressive method, as the rest progresses, the influence of a random component on ite m selection is reduced and the importance of item information is increasing ly more prominent. In the Restricted Maximum Information method, no item is allowed to be exposed in more than a predetermined proportion of tests. Bo th methods were compared with six other item-selection methods (Maximum Inf ormation, One Parameter, McBride and Martin, Randomesque, Sympson and Hette r, and Random Item Selection) with regard to test precision and item exposu re variables. Results showed that the Restricted method was useful to reduc e maximum exposure rates and that the Progressive method reduced the number of unused items. Both did well regarding precision. Thus, a combined Progr essive-Restricted method may be useful to control item exposure without a s erious decrease in test precision.