Subscores

'The authors cogently and compellingly warn potential sub-score users of the adage, 'buyer beware.' In economic terms, demand is seductive; supply is low quality; and the price of improved quality unexpectedly high.' Arthur E. Wise, Education author, advocate, and policymaker

'This compact volume provides both contemporary theory and sage advice about subscores for test developers, integrating seminal ideas and essential results from more than three dozen publications on the subject published by the authors over the past twenty-five years. It is an essential reference for practitioners and an ideal text for classes in test development.' David Thissen, Professor Emeritus, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

'This book is a masterful treatise on the subject of subtests, essential reading for all psychometricians, both practicing and aspiring. The figures are abundant and lucidly explained, as are the necessary equations. The text is learned and sophisticated, with occasional flashes of wit, and is enriched by numerous real-world examples.' Malcolm James Ree, Ph.D., Past chair of the ASVAB Technical Committee

'Subscores: A Practical Guide for Their Production and Consumption provides a comprehensive overview of the often-misunderstood characteristics of subscores. It fills an important gap in responsible testing with a much-needed explication of subscore meaning and use in an accessible form for both expert and non-expert stakeholders in the assessment world. Its value makes one hope it is not Wainer's last contribution to the field.' Donald E. Melnick, M.D., MACP, Past President, National Board of Medical Examiners

'This volume is sure to become a landmark in the study of subscores in educational tests. Based on two decades of research, it offers a coherent, comprehensive and eminently readable treatment of all aspects of the subject. Test developers, psychometricians, practitioners and - especially - users will find much wisdom and practical advice on generating, evaluating and employing subscores in a broad range of contexts.' Henry Braun, Boisi Professor of Education and Public Policy, Boston College

'Anyone with basic psychometric training who needs to get up to speed on subscores quickly would benefit immensely from this book.' Michael C. Edwards, psychometrika

'I recommend that anyone who is involved in test design and score reporting should obtain a copy of this book and digest the main messages. The motives driving the desire for subscores will not go away. It is important that those in the testing industry have ways of dealing with the continuing desire for subscores.' Mark Reckase, Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics