A computer assisted test assembly system for medical technology examinations.

A descriptive report on the establishment and implementation of a computer assisted test assembly (CATA) system at the University of Iowa Medical Technology Program is presented. This system is an alternative approach to the production of paper and pencil examinations that may be considered for use in other medical technology programs. Access to the system is designed, through coding, to correlate with specific instructional objectives in a variety of subject areas. The CATA system has capabilities for mass production of examinations, correction of examinations, and production of accumulative item analyses. Use of this computerized system has produced savings in terms of money, faculty time, and clerical assistance. Primarily, however, it has served to effectively relate instructional objectives in an educational program to the evaluation process.