ITEM RESPONSE THEORY (IRT) FOR ASSESSING STUDENT PROFICIENCY

Classical Test theory provides easy approach for assessing students’ achievement but it takes in to account the overall performance of the student in a given test. It ignores the ability of student to attempt individual test items. We know that all test items are not of the same difficulty level. Item Response Theory (ITR) helps us to assess students’ performance in more methodical way. One can analyze an individual students performance using ITR as well as one can compare performances of individual students belonging to a group. Based on parameters ITR models are proposed. The present paper tries to explain some basic concepts related to ITR. Much more explanation and understanding of this concept is needed before it can be implemented in present education system. ITR may not be the ultimate solution for making assessment full proof and accurate but it can definitely provide sound basis for more scientific and systematic approach for assessing students’ proficiency