| dc.description.abstract | The evolution of testing has gone a long way from traditional testing methods to highly computerized and professional designs using item banks. Previous work show that most of the examination bodies in Africa still use traditional item banking methods that are manual, tedious, test centered and therefore prone to errors. The process involves only a few test item writers who not only compose test items manually but also are tasked with determining each item's characteristics to ensure quality test items are generated resulting to a few items. The need to revise or create new test items with some frequency to avoid administering the same test year after year can be a very time consuming. This research project examines the current item development and banking processes in the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), establishes the gaps, defines and compares the two commonly used theories of testing. Using the research findings, an online item development and banking system integrated with Item Response Theory (IRT) of testing by implementing each subject‟s table of specification, content area, instructional objective measured and the skill was developed to overcome the current manual system challenges. According to available literature review, IRT subjects each developed item to rigorous process of validation and psychometric analysis unlike the currently applied Classical Test Theory (CTT) which is test centered and believed to be biased. Structured Systems Analysis and Development Method (SSADM) methodology used was the most preferred due to its modular based approach. The research design for this study involved face to face interviews and administering structured questionnaires to individuals to collect factual information from the respondents. Results were analyzed, graphically represented and interpreted. It is suggested that the online system is sufficiently robust for it to be of value to all potential item bank users. Good quality test items which are the building blocks of examinations. To develop examination items that meet the deemed standards of validity, discrimination, fairness and integrity, there is need emphasize on modern item banking practices and therefore, the implementation of the online system by | en_US |
