Experts in Computerized Adaptive Testing Discuss Latest Techniques in High-Stakes...

Experts in Computerized Adaptive Testing Discuss Latest Techniques in
High-Stakes Exams

International Conference Set for June 2-3 at University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released
by the Graduate Management Admission Council:

WHAT: 2009 GMAC Conference on Computerized Adaptive Testing, organized by the
Graduate Management Admission Council(R) (GMAC(R)) and hosted by the
University of Minnesota.

WHEN: June 2-3, 2009
Conference begins at 9 a.m. on June 2 and 8:15 a.m. on June 3.

WHERE: Radisson University Hotel (on University of Minnesota campus)
615 Washington Avenue S.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414

BACKGROUND:

More than 140 researchers and professionals from around the world are
gathering to share and discuss the latest developments in computerized
adaptive testing (CAT) -- the methodology behind many of today's advanced
standardized admissions, achievement, certification and licensure
examinations. The conference was arranged by CAT pioneers David Weiss,
psychology professor at the University of Minnesota, and Lawrence M. Rudner,
vice president of research and development at the Graduate Management
Admission Council (GMAC). GMAC owns the Graduate Management Admission Test(R)
(GMAT(R)), a CAT-based exam used by more than 4,600 graduate management
education programs around the world.

Tests that employ CAT technology use computer workstations to present each
test taker with a tailored set of questions drawn from a large pool. An
algorithm selects questions based on whether the test taker has answered
previous questions correctly or incorrectly, enabling CAT-based exams to more
efficiently determine a person's ability level than traditional
paper-and-pencil tests.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (www.gmac.com) is a nonprofit
organization of leading graduate business schools worldwide dedicated to
creating access to and disseminating information about graduate management
education. The Council annually surveys thousands of employers and business
school aspirants, students and alumni to gauge the economic and societal
impacts of graduate-level management training. GMAC is based in McLean,
Virginia, and has a European office in London.

The GMAT is used by graduate management programs at some 1,900 business
schools around the world to assess applicants. The GMAT -- the only
standardized test designed expressly for graduate business and management
programs worldwide -- is currently available at more than 450 test centers in
over 100 countries. More information about the GMAT is available at
www.mba.com.

SOURCE Graduate Management Admission Council

Sam Silverstein of the Graduate Management Admission Council, +1-703-245-4317,
+1-703-625-0467