ABSTRACT
The Rasch model was devised by the Danish mathematician, Georg Rasch, in 1960 to overcome the limitations of existing models, though work on similar lines had started in the USA. The Rasch model is very simple in essence: all it says is that the outcome of a person's attempt at a question depends upon only two things, the difficulty of the question and the ability of the person. The only way out for Rasch is to use Procrustes' bed: only items that fit the model are retained in the bank, thus distorting the educational coverage and balance of the bank, a prospect that should be unacceptable even to Rasch's most fervent disciples. The first approach draws upon the experience of the examination boards, who every year are obliged to do their best to maintain the standard of each grade even though the questions are completely different.
