Verification of the measuring properties and content validity of a computer based MST test for the estimation of mathematics skills in Grade 10

The research is aimed at the construction of a multi-level adaptive test (MST), for the evaluation of the mathematical skills of Italian students of Grade 10, and was carried out in collaboration with Invalsi for a PhD study of "La Sapienza" University of Rome. The research started from the definition of the construct to be measured, taking into account both national and international references. A specific item bank was then built. The test was administered to a sample of 4132 students. The experiment confirmed the advantages of an MST model. Interesting results emerged by comparing the adaptive part of the main paths with a linear tests consisting of the same number of items and administered to a sample of pre-test students and comparing the MST test with a simulated linear test, built on the same item bank and with the same numer of item of MST test.