1. Item Banking
Rawezh Ibrahim
28/04/2014 1

2. Item bank
 It is a large collection of test items that have been classified and stored in a
database so that they can be retrieved at a later time or chosen for new
tests.
 Use of an item bank and of good item banking software is a solution to the
effort and expense of preparing new items for each administration of an
assessment, whether the test is used by a teacher of a small class; a
university lecturer who has several large sections; or the director of
multifaceted programs for certification, licensing, accountability, or norm-
referenced survey testing.
28/04/2014 2

3.  Item banks are stored in a computer file, in an electronic environment and coded according to
their contents:
 By the CEFR level
 Language skills
 Descriptors
 See Page 38 and 43
CEFR Level Language Skills Descriptors/Att
ainment
Test Items Coding
B1 Listening LC.01,02,n LC. 01.01.02 B1.LC.01.01
28/04/2014 3

4. 28/04/2014 4
Coding System/Item Card
Example

5. 28/04/2014 5
Item No.: 1
Item Code: B1.LC.01.01
Skill: Listening Comprehension
The CEFR level: B1
Descriptor: I can follow clearly articulated speech directed at someone.
Attainment: Following clearly articulated speech directed at someone.
Instructions: You will hear a passage read to you twice. First just listen then choose the
correct answer.
Test Item:
Miss Linda thought that asking £75 was quite ………..
A: equal
B: wrong
C: right
D: tricky
E: useful
Item Parameters:
mode: ………… median: ………. mean: ………… standard deviation: …………
range: ………… item difficulty: …………
Writer:…………. Editor:…………. Approved by:…………

6. 28/04/2014 6

7. 28/04/2014 7

8. Before using computers
 Before the advent of desktop computers, the most common item bank was a
box of index cards, each containing a single item. Teachers could select the
items wanted for a test, tape them to a sheet of paper, and use the copier to
make sufficient copies of the examination. If more than one version were
needed, items could simply be rearranged.
28/04/2014 8

9. Who can use item bank?
 Anyone whose responsibilities involve preparing assessments on a regular
basis will find item banking technology very useful.
 In education, this group includes all classroom teachers, university
instructors, directors of system-wide testing programs, directors of state
testing programs, and evaluators of special projects.
28/04/2014 9

10. What can an item bank do?
 Item entry and storage.
 Item retrieval for reviewing items, formatting test forms, and editing and updating items.
 Maintenance of item history.
 Scoring and item analysis.
 Preparation of records and reports, including Gradebook.
28/04/2014 10

11. Features
1. The number and type of items can faithfully reflect the nature of the
knowledge domain to be measured. Unlike paper-and-pencil testing,
modern computer-based testing requires a sufficient number of
interchangeable items on each test objective for multiple-form and
adaptive tests.
2.The items meet accepted standards of content validity and psychometric
quality. They can measure what they are supposed to measure and they do
so very well.
3. The item bank is easy to use and maintain. Content specialists such as
teachers and lecturers can easily manage the test item database and build
tests to their specifications. A development of a good test is not a
difficult, lengthy and tedious task any more. 28/04/2014 11

12. Steps in creating an item bank
 Method of item entry
 Graphics and special characters
 Text limitations
 Size of item bank
 Item types (MC/ TF)
 Editing items
 Classification and coding
 Review and item updating
28/04/2014 12

13. Scoring
 Computer administration:
When tests are administered by computer, the scoring is usually, but not always,
handled immediately.
 Printed test forms:
When printed examinations are administered, the scoring and analysis is usually a
separate process.
 Optic forms: The tests are automatically scored.
28/04/2014 13

14. Advantages
 Teachers do not have to write new items for every examination.
 Reliability in scoring; computers are more accurate.
 Traditional time limits are not necessary.
 Diagnostic feedback can be provided very quickly to each testee on those items answered
incorrectly.
 Large group of testees can be tested at the same time.
 Easy to find subjects.
28/04/2014 14

15. Disadvantages
 Computer equipment may not always be available, or in working order.
 The graphics capabilities of many computers may be limited.
 Computer anxiety is another potential disadvantage.
 Differences in the degree to which testees are familiar with using computers or typewriter
keyboards may lead to discrepancies in their performances on computer-assisted or computer-
adaptive tests.
28/04/2014 15

16. Difficulties of Item Banking
 Keeping large item banks up-to-date.
 Preventing redundancy in item banks.
 Keeping items from being copied and disseminated to non-members.
 Determining correct key words to use for item classification.
28/04/2014 16

17. Thanks for your attention.
Questions
28/04/2014 17