ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the security threats associated with technology-based tests and a model for setting up an effective defense. The test security provides the resistance to harm or damage and not total protection. The security advantage of a Common Admission Test (CAT) is that the majority of items are exposed less often than they would have been had the test been administered as a fixed-length traditional exam. The ubiquitous and inviting nature of the Internet encourages educational testing programs to administer high-stakes tests as conveniently and widely as possible, even exams with important consequences, without proper security in place. Low-stakes educational tests are being administered most frequently as online tests, taking advantage of the convenience and low cost of Internet test administration. The advantages gained by using technology to administer exams are significant, including immediate scoring, more convenient testing locations, more efficient tests, better measurement of skills, and lower costs in many uses.
