The Australian National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR) commissioned ACER to investigate the feasibility of implementing computer adaptive testing (CAT) in NOOSR’s screening examinations for overseas trained professionals. The National Office administers screening examinations in seven professions (Dentistry, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Veterinary Science) at venues throughout Australia and in up to fifty centres around the world. Surveys were conducted to gain an overview of the current methods and procedures used by NOOSR in the screening examinations. Issues related to the application of CAT to NOOSR’s screening examinations and the possible improvement of NOOSR’s assessment program with the implementation of CAT were considered. In order to assess the feasibility of developing a CAT system that will meet the particular needs of different aspects of NOOSR’s assessment programs, the possibility of a CAT system for NOOSR was explored by actually designing one. The procedures of implementation of a CAT system and the process of conversion to the new system were considered and recommendations made.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ray_adams/6/