Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) is an assessment method that uses computer algorithms to adjust the difficulty of questions based on a test taker’s responses. CAT is designed to provide a more efficient and accurate assessment of a test taker’s knowledge or skills by tailoring the questions to the individual’s ability level. This approach has been used in educational settings for decades, but has recently gained popularity in other areas such as healthcare, military, and business.

Research on CAT has focused on its efficacy in providing accurate assessments of test takers’ abilities. Studies have found that CAT can provide more accurate results than traditional paper-and-pencil tests, as well as reduce testing time and cost. Additionally, research has shown that CAT can be used to assess a wide range of skills and knowledge areas, including language proficiency, mathematics, science, and reading comprehension.

CAT has also been studied in terms of its impact on test takers’ motivation and engagement. Studies have found that CAT can increase motivation by providing immediate feedback and allowing test takers to progress at their own pace. Additionally, research suggests that CAT can reduce anxiety by providing a more personalized testing experience.

Examples and Application

1. Educational Testing: Computer adaptive testing is used in educational settings to assess student performance and identify areas of strength and weakness. This type of testing can be used to measure student progress over time, as well as to provide feedback on specific topics or skills.

2. Medical Diagnostics: Computer adaptive testing is also used in medical diagnostics to help diagnose diseases and conditions. By using a series of questions tailored to the individual patient, doctors can quickly and accurately determine the best course of treatment for their patients.

There are of course other examples of CAT, I would restrict myself to the aforementioned ones. Needless to say, there are merits and demerits to CAT some of which will be briefly discussed.

Merits of CAT:

1. Increased accuracy: Computer adaptive testing is designed to provide more accurate results than traditional tests because it adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the user’s responses. This means that the test is tailored to the individual’s abilities, providing a more accurate assessment of their knowledge and skills.

2. Reduced testing time: Computer adaptive tests are typically shorter than traditional tests because they only ask questions that are relevant to the user’s abilities. This can save time for both the test taker and the test administrator.

Demerits of CAT:

1. Expensive technology: Computer adaptive testing requires specialized software and hardware, which can be expensive to purchase and maintain. Additionally, some organizations may not have access to this technology or may not be able to afford it.

2. Limited question pool: The number of questions available for computer adaptive testing is limited, which means that some topics may not be covered in depth or at all on a given test.

3. Difficulty in scoring: Scoring computer adaptive tests can be difficult because each user receives a unique set of questions based on their responses, making it difficult to compare scores between different users or across different tests.


Finally, research has explored how CAT can be used to improve educational outcomes. Studies have found that using CAT can lead to improved student performance on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Additionally, research suggests that using CAT can help students better understand material by providing tailored feedback based on their responses.