Configure the Test in Adaptive Mode

The administrator can set the test to Adaptive mode when informed that a sufficient number of items in the database are calibrated. Generally, this follows an experimental phase in Non-adaptive test mode and statistical analysis of data by an evaluation specialist, which allows the difficulty levels of previously approved items to be entered manually in the Editing module.

The administrator sets the test to Adaptive test mode by selecting Yes in the Adaptive test field of the Settings page.

To configure an adaptive test:

Ensure that the white triangle in the green circle icon is pointing toward the top

NOTE: Once the Settings have been saved, the modality section of the selected test (Adaptive or Non-adaptive) deploys automatically (white triangle pointing toward the top).

1. In the Welcome text field, type the text that is to appear on the welcome page for an adaptive mode test.
2. Click the button to browse and select the Welcome sound that plays when a respondent clicks the You must click here to listen to the instructions link on the test's welcome page. You can preview the sound by clicking on the file name's link.
   NOTE: A different Welcome sound may be required depending on the current test mode. You must therefore add the correct audio file separately on the Settings page of each specific mode, adaptive or non-adaptive.
3. In the End text field, type the text that is to appear by default when a respondent completes the test. The manager can customize the End text using the Management module's Settings menu; this change applies only to the subscriber's groups. 
4. In the Cut scores section, enter the level values in the Linguistic scale column and the corresponding results ranges in the Proficiency level (theta) column. The values entered for the Linguistic scale column should be defined by a qualified second language specialist, while the Proficiency level (theta) column should be provided by a second language evaluation specialist who has analyzed a sampling of respondent test results in non-adaptive mode.
5. Enter a value in the Maximum number of items in a category field (the recommended setting is between 70 and 100); this value sets the stop conditions (maximum number of questions) for an adaptive test in the event that the algorithm is unable to determine the respondent's proficiency level.
6. In the Error margin tolerance field, enter the value transmitted by an adaptive test evaluation specialist. This value is used in the adaptive algorithm.
7. Enter 2 or 3 in the Number of items to calibrate per category field; this value determines the number of approved items presented to respondents with the goal of calibrating the items.
8. Enter a value greater than 100 in the Number of records required for calibration field; this value determines the number of respondent answers to a specific item for it to be approved and ready to be calibrated.
9. Click Save.

Using the text editor

You can enlarge the text field as needed by clicking and dragging the bottom right corner of the field. All text fields are accompanied by an editing toolbar. Most of the options are similar to those found in other editing software. To view their functions, point your cursor at each option's icon.

The following editing options may be less familiar:

	Insert a non-breaking space at the location of the cursor in the text field
	Insert a special character at the location of the cursor in the text field
	Paste plain text in order to remove underlying code from another application
	Display the HTML source code
	Insert an image
	View the text field in full screen mode