ABSTRACT
A multistage test (MST) is an assessment that differs from both a computer-adaptive test (CAT) and a linear test in several respects and may be thought of as a compromise between these two testing formats. An MST adopts a design that provides adaptation across test takers at the section or module level rather than at the item level. One example of an MST design would have two stages and a total of four modules. Items in each module are delivered in a fixed order. All test takers receive a routing module at the first stage. It typically contains items with a broad range of difficulties. According to their performance on the routing module, the test takers are routed to one of three second-stage modules, with items of higher (Hard module), medium (Medium module) or lower difficulties (Easy module), respectively. The routing decision may be based on predetermined cut scores for the number of correct responses to the items in the routing module.
