Advantages of CAA
Computer Adaptive Assessment offers some important advantages over paper-and-pencil testing.

1. Testing efficiency is enhanced in that fewer items are typically required to obtain similar measurement accuracy, especially for students at a high or low achievement levels.
2. In most cases, test-taking time is reduced.
3. Testing on demand is possible, which enables teachers to better track student progress and develop individualized program plans.
4. Test-taking frustration for students is reduced.
5. The potential for immediate test scoring and reporting becomes possible.
6. There is greater flexibility in test item formats (e.g., using video clips or interactive items) as well as in delivering sets of items (i.e., testlets).
7. There is greater precision in the measurement of a student’s achievement level.
8. There is greater test standardization because scores can be compared at multiple-test taking periods.
9. Integrating field-test items (experimental items that do not yet have statistical information associated with them) into a CAA system allows for the fast and efficient collection of item statistics necessary to enhance/replenish item banks. As a result, field-testing and operational testing are an integrated process, which reduces test development, administration, and scoring costs.
10. The ability to diagnose a student’s strengths and weaknesses relative to specific curricular areas can aid teachers in the development of precise education plans for each student.

CAA, which was initially developed for the narrow objective of testing on-demand, is producing a new administration infrastructure that could revolutionize educational testing. It may be the most important change to occur in test development since the introduction of the multiple-choice item.