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The National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE) was established by the Associated Heads of the Universities in Israel in order to develop and administer standardized admissions and placement tests.
NITE is a registered, public, non-profit organization.
Background
The National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE) was established in 1981 by the Associated Heads of the Universities in Israel in order to centralize the development and administration of admissions and placement tests. The founding of NITE made it possible to bring together leading professionals in the field of psychometrics and measurement with a view to enhancing the quality and efficiency of university admissions testing on a national scale. Since then, NITE has been instrumental in the university admissions process, providing a uniform testing program.
Objectives
- The development and administration of standardized tests to be used for admissions and placement purposes by institutions of higher education.
- The provision of admissions and placement services for other institutions.
- Research and follow-up studies pertaining to the admissions and placement practices employed by institutions of higher education.
- The development of placement and assessment tools for the education system in general.
- The promotion of professional development in areas of testing, measurement and evaluation in Israel.
Structure
NITE is a registered, public, non-profit organization. It is supervised by a board of directors that consists of representatives from all the universities. Members of NITE’s staff are primarily professionals and researchers with advanced degrees and extensive experience in the field of psychometrics. They are complemented by a team of computer experts and administrative personnel.
NITE’s activities are overseen by a scientific council comprised of leading professionals in the field from both Israel and aboad. The council reviews all professional activity relating to psychometric assessment in order to ensure performance of the highest possible caliber.
The Testing Program
NITE’s tests are administered to some 80,000 applicants to Israeli universities and other institutions of higher education each year. The testing process, handled in its entirety by NITE, includes:
- Registration of examinees. Assignment of test dates and locations in accordance with examinee preference.
- Supervision of the testing process.
- Screening of applicants with special needs (including physical disabilities and learning disorders) and provision of suitable test accommodations.
- Scoring and equating of tests; conversion of scores to a uniform scale and reporting them to institutions and examinees.
The Psychometric Entrance Test (PET)
Israel is one of many countries in which psychometric testing is part of the university admissions process. The Psychometric Entrance Test (PET) consists of a battery of tests that assess a variety of abilities essential to academic performance. PET is used to rank university applicants according to the likelihood of their successfully completing academic studies.
PET is administered five times a year, throughout Israel and in various locations abroad.
NITE has developed expertise in the translation of standardized tests so that most examinees can be tested in their first languages. Translated versions of PET are available in Arabic, Russian, French and Spanish, as well as a Combined Hebrew-English version with a multilingual glossary.
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Proficiency Tests
In addition to the Psychometric Entrance Test, NITE administers proficiency tests in a number of other areas:
| Proficiency Tests in Hebrew and English – used by universities for admissions and for placement of applicants in language courses. |
| Mathematics Proficiency Test – evaluates mathematical knowledge and quantitative reasoning skills acquired in high school. The test is used as an admissions tool for departments requiring a certain level of mathematics. |
| Admissions Tests for various programs – designed to facilitate the admissions process for advanced degrees (e.g. in psychology), academic preparatory programs and certification programs (for example, nursing). |
Testing of Special Skills and Non-Cognitive Factors
NITE has developed tools for the assessment of special or non-cognitive skills required for a particular profession or academic field. These include:
- Standardized biographical questionnaires, designed as a uniform tool to replace the personal interview.
- Judgment and decision-making questionnaires, designed to examine the examinee’s ability to assess complex situations and offer appropriate solutions.
- Writing assessment – designed to assess academic writing ability in the examinee’s first language.
- MATAL – a computerized test battery for the diagnosis of learning disabilities in applicants to institutions of higher education, and in those who have already been accepted.
- Assessment Center – used for medical school admissions, this tool is designed to measure personal variables and includes questionnaires and simulation stations, the latter in both individual and group formats.
K-12 Tests for the Education System
In addition to its ongoing activities, NITE has from time to time produced customized tests, some on request and some after having been awarded contracts. Among these are Israel’s national assessment of educational progress tests, banks of performance tasks in elementary school science, mathematics and English; and the National Assessment Project, which was designed to provide information on academic performance at the school and classroom levels.
Special Projects and Services
Computerized Test
NITE’s ongoing work in the development of computerized adaptive testing is particularly advantageous for small populations with distinct needs. Computerized tests offered by NITE include: a psychometric practice test, an English proficiency test, and an adaptive psychometric test for examinees with learning diabilities. |
Internet-Based Test
NITE has developed tests that are administrated via the Internet (for example, the entrance test for the academic preparatory program). |
MEIDAAT – An Interactive Web-Based Information System
MEIDAAT provides comprehensive information regarding academic programs at Israeli universities and colleges. MEIDAAT was developed by NITE as a service to the public. It is available in English and Hebrew. |
Consultation and Professional Services
NITE is active in academic course instruction and runs workshop and in-service training programs for various institutions. NITE also provides professional consultancy services including tool development, data analysis and interpretation of results for government agencies, and for military, academic, and public institutions (for example, the Center for Medical Simulation). |
The Israeli Psychometric Association (ISPA)
NITE initiated the establishment of the Israeli Psychometric Association in order to promote local research and professional activity in educational and psychological measurement and to encourage among its members professional contact, information sharing and cooperation. |
International activity
NITE is a member of many international organizations such as AERA, NCME, IAEA and ITC, and is involved in international projects in the field of educational assessment in several countries.
NITE was also responsible for administering the International Assessment of Educational Progress (IAEP), which evaluated children’s educational progress in science and mathematics. |
Ongoing Research
NITE places great emphasis on research in the fields of psychometrics, measurement and assessment.
Research regarding PET’s validity and its ability to predict academic success is conducted on a regular basis. Other aspects of PET are also studied, such as its suitability for different examinee populations and the effect of coaching on test performance.
Examinees are regularly asked for feedback on testing conditions and procedures.
Publications and Information
Projects and research studies conducted, or participated in, by NITE are published in both professional journals and internal research reports. The latter are distributed to professional bodies and interested parties.
As a service to examinees, PET registration kits include an information booklet containing general information about the test, sample questions with answers and explanations, and a practice test.
In addition, NITE publishes test forms from previous years, in all test languages, so that examinees can practice taking the test and gauge their performance.
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About NITE
