Evaluating the Reliability Index of an Entrance Exam Using Item Response Theory
Jeffrey Imer Salim
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
Humans, in the conduct of daily activities, have used measurement as a crucial tool. In education,
certain measurement tools such as achievement testing is used to assess the psychological capabilities
of students. Thus, it is important that correct test constructs are utilized for results to be reliable. This
study was done to evaluate the reliability index of the Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi
College of Technology and Oceanography Senior High School Entrance Examination, which is given
annually to prospect students. The examination consists of four subjects: English, Science,
Mathematics and Aptitude with 75, 30, 40, and 25 questions each respectively. The study employed
the descriptive quantitative research design. Stratified sampling was used on the entire raw scored
answer sheets to come up with a sample of 200 examinees of the said exam. To evaluate the
reliability index, the Statistical Program from Social Sciences or SPSS was used. The study
concluded that the test constructs for the examination was highly reliable with reliability index of
0.968, with a level of significance of 0.1. Reliability per subject were 0.965 for Language or English,
0.983 for Science, 0.967 for Mathematics, and 0.974 for Aptitude. The study recommends that the
examination be further evaluated and updated.
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