Sample Analysis of Test Items

The complexity analysis outlined in the first section was developed to account for differences in difficulty of exam and literacy survey questions and to help in the design of test items at specific complexity levels.

• The Respirator Parts Problem, like most other problems in the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), requires a number of reading and document use skills. In this problem, the test taker is asked to find catalog numbers which are ‘buried’ in a four column table. The respirator parts problem is used as a sample problem at the beginning of each TOWES test
• The Primary Energy Problem is taken from the IALS survey and involves using quantitative information from two bar graphs.

Before looking at the explanations and ratings that follow each set of items, complete each item as though you were writing the test or survey. Make a note of your impressions as to the difficulty of each item.