In News:

• The IIT Council has recommended exploring adaptive testing for JEE Advanced, signalling a major shift in India’s high-stakes entrance examination framework. An expert committee is expected to guide a phased transition between 2026 and 2028, with free adaptive mock tests proposed to familiarise students and help calibrate question banks.
• This reform aims to make assessment fairer, more precise, and less stressful, while aligning Indian testing practices with global standards.

What is Adaptive Testing?

Adaptive testing is a computer-based dynamic assessment system that adjusts question difficulty in real time based on a candidate’s responses. It relies on Item Response Theory (IRT), a psychometric framework used to estimate a candidate’s true ability level after each answer.

Unlike traditional exams where all students attempt the same fixed paper, adaptive testing personalises the test pathway while maintaining comparability through a standardised ability scale.

How It Works

1. Dynamic Question Selection

• Test begins with a moderate-difficulty question
• Correct answer → harder question
• Incorrect answer → easier question

This converges toward the candidate’s actual proficiency level.

2. Item Response Theory (IRT)

• Statistical models continuously estimate ability
• Each question has parameters such as difficulty, discrimination, and guessing probability
• Ability estimate becomes more precise with each response

3. Common Ability Scale

Even though candidates see different questions, scores are mapped onto a single standardised scale, ensuring fairness and comparability.

4. Fewer but More Informative Questions

Because each question is targeted, fewer questions are needed to measure ability accurately — reducing fatigue and time pressure.

5. Concept-Focused Progression

Students cannot reach advanced-level questions without demonstrating foundational understanding, reducing the impact of rote coaching strategies.

6. Fully Computerised Delivery

Requires:

• Secure digital infrastructure
• Large calibrated item banks
• Real-time computation engines