Why is the FCAT scored using item response methods and pattern scoring?
The FCAT is scored using item response methods and pattern scoring because research has shown that this method produces the most accurate scores, making it possible to determine and report the score that is as close as possible to the students true skill level. In fact, numerous other public tests use these same methods, including the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), used for college entrance.Students with low scores will generally succeed on the easy questions, students with moderate scores will typically succeed on questions with low to moderate difficulty, and students with high scores will succeed on questions at all levels of difficulty.A students total score is determined based on the number of and difficulty levels of questions the student answers correctly. Harder questions are worth more than easier questions.
The FCAT is scored using item response methods and pattern scoring because research has shown that this method produces the most accurate scores, making it possible to determine and report the score that is as close as possible to the students true skill level. In fact, numerous other public tests use these same methods, including the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), used for college entrance.Students with low scores will generally succeed on the easy questions, students with moderate scores will typically succeed on questions with low to moderate difficulty, and students with high scores will succeed on questions at all levels of difficulty.A students total score is determined based on the number of and difficulty levels of questions the student answers correctly. Harder questions are worth more than easier questions. The more difficult questions a student answers correctly, the fewer correct questions are potentially needed to p
