The Development of a Diagnostic Test for Screening Regents Chemistry Students

Abstract

The purpose of this project has been to develop a test that can be used to identify those students whose levels of abstract reasoning and mathematical skills are significantly below those necessary for success in Regents chemistry. A measure of the association between the pilot test scores Regents examination scores was obtained by degree and of the computing the sample coefficient of determination. The problems on the test were patterned after Dr. Anton Lawson's test and the Toledo Chemistry Placement Examination Math Skills subset. Due to the limited amount of time that a chemistry instructor can devote to such testing, the final version of the test was limited to 14 problems.