The Development Of Mathematical Reasoning Items For Chinese Youngster Recruited Based On Item Response Theory

Under the modern warfare condition, Information technology plays a more and moreimportant role, But the informatization war is ultimately war between people, therefore,Selecting all kinds of talents who suits positions features for the military is militarypsychological expert’s first and most urgent task.Computerized adaptive testing database establish based on item response theory,according to the level of the subjects ability to automatically select items by the computer,ultimately subjects ability to be estimated. It is time-saving and efficient, high safety andcan feedback the test results timely, etc., to be the optimal large-scale test form,so beapplied to the military personnel selection and job classification quickly.Due to demand restrictions, citizen recruited psychological screening system mainly prevent young candidates those who are low capacity and suffering mental illness enteringinto the forces. It is not fit the development of our military strength and the informationconstruction. under information warfare condition, the division of forces labor is more andmore fine, job professional requirement is higher and higher, Except special training formilitary positions, the match of personnel and allocation become the most importantmeans that Improving troops combat effectiveness in psychological selection，This isnecessary for us to update existing system, to adapt to the new requirements of militaryrecruiting.The purpose of this study：discussed the validity of the mathematical reasoning tests,preliminary developed test items by applying item response theory, laid the foundation forestablishing mathematical reasoning ability items bank, and especially provided thepossibility to further develop the ability of the CAT.Main content and procedure are as follows：1. Determined the whole research thought through literature review, consultation ofexperts;2. Developed the mathematical reasoning test items with IRT based on the relatedtheory of mathematical reasoning and mathematical cognitive structure;3. Revised test papers according to the expert opinions and the predicted results of thepapers，eventually formed32test papers and16anchor test papers;4.6335recruits of Lanzhou and Jinan military regions were measured;5.The principal components analysis was used to measure the unidimensionality ofthe data, Test information function was used to determine standard error ofestimation,Two-parameter logistic model was used to fit the data collected. The itemparameters were evaluated by Bayesian expected posteriori estimation with BILOG MGsoftware. Anchor item designing and the item characteristic curve equating were carriedout to finish test equating to select the most effective items.Main outcomes of this study are as follows：1. The develop of recruited youth’s mathematical cognition level was proved to befeasible; 2. Using a combination of chain anchor with center anchor to test equating, Modelfitting, the program run well;3.757valid test items were developed，all set of test items identify degree werepretty good, difficulty level was moderate, item information function were appropriate,can be used in the construction of large item bank.