The Nedelsky method is a criterion-referenced approach for setting cut scores on multiple choice tests proposed in 1954. It involves subject matter experts independently identifying the options a borderline candidate would recognize as implausible for each item, which determines the probability the candidate would answer correctly. The average of the probabilities across items determines the cut score. While intuitive, it has limitations such as only allowing a few set probability values and not accommodating multiple cut scores on the same test. However, cut scores can be set with or without examinee performance data.

1. Methods of Standard
Setting
The Nedelsky Method
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2. Introduction
• In 1954 Nedelsky proposed a method for
settinng cut scores.
• The longitivity of the method is perheps
due to the facts that it is intuitive to and
easily performed by participants.
• Participants using this method inspect,
individually each item in a Multiple-Choice
examination, with particular attention to
the options for each item.

3. • The Nedelsky proposed an imaginary
borderline that can be set before and after
administering the test requiring
performance standard to be set.
• It was the first widely disseminated
criterion-referenced method for setting cut
scores.
• It was the first to shift the focus from
“relative” performance to “absolute”
levels of performance.

4. Procedure for the Nedelsky Method
• Panel of experts independently determine the
F-responses for the examinees.
• Panel of experts assign the probabilities to each
multiple-choice test items.
• The borderline candidate (F-D Student) respond to
Multiple-choice items by first eliminating the responses
he/she believes are incorrect and than assessing the
plausibility of the remaining responses. Borderline
candidate should be able to reject incorrect answer
responses.

5. •To establish the pass points judges
independently identify the answer option(s)
that a borderline candidate would recognize
as implausible.
•The Number of remaining option
determines the probability that the candidate
will answer correctly the item:

6. 1 plaussible response= 100%
2 = 50%
3= 33%
4= 25%
5= 20%
probability of a correct response.
•The average of the probabilities determines
the pass point.
•Nedelsky proposed the use of a constant,
K, for the final adjustment to mean cut
scores.

7. An Example
• Participants judged that, for a certain five-
option item, borderline examinees would
be expected to rule out two of the options
as incorrect, leaving them to choose from
the remaining three options. The Nedelsky
rating for this item would be 1/3 = 0.33.

8. Repeating the judgment process for each
item would give a number of Nedelsky
values equal to the number of items in the
test (n). The sum of the n values can be
directly used as a raw score cut score. For
example, a 50-item test consisting entirely of
items with Nedelsky ratings of 0.33 would
yield a recommended passing score of 16.5
(i.e., 50 × 0.33 = 16.5).

9. Problems with Nedelsky Method
• It is not used in all multiple-choice items, it
would need to have the same number of
options.
• It essentially permits participants only a
very limited number of probabilities that
they can assign to items.
• There are not equal intervals between the
probabilities, because raters tend not to
assign probabilities of 1.00.

10. • It cannot be used in situations where more
than one cut score is requires on the same
test.
• It seems to place a greater burdon on test
construction.

11. Advantages of Nedelsky
Method
• It can be implemented with or without
examinee performance data on the items
or test form on which standards are based.
• A Nedelsky cut scores can be derived
before or after operational administartion
of the test requiring performance
standards to be set.