A test that adapt its difficulty to match test takers level.

When it comes to general testing, each test taker typically receives the same set of questions. The purpose is to make test results comparable, determining who scored higher. On the one hand, highly capable test-takers must also answer very easy questions, while those with lower abilities must tackle very difficult questions. In many cases, overly lengthy tests lead to fatigue and inaccuracies in test scores. This means that traditional, fixed-length tests might not effectively reflect test-takers' abilities. This article discusses whether computer-adaptive tests are a better alternative.

Test creators propose a new method in which a person's abilities are estimated based on their performance on the initial questions. Subsequent questions are then adjusted to match the test-taker's estimated ability level. In this way, if a person answers questions correctly consecutively, the questions become more challenging one by one. Conversely, if they answer incorrectly, the questions become easier, and the test adapts accordingly.

Tests that use computer adaptive methods are regaining popularity. The technique addresses concerns about older tests getting exposed and "leaked" to the public. This is why new test questions are continuously created. Despite the high costs associated with creating many test questions and constructing adaptive tests, the need for fairness and security justifies these efforts.

In practice, a test-taker is not required to answer every single question to achieve an accurate score. It offers convenience and fairness to all test-takers, as people do not waste time on questions that do not suit their abilities. Computer-adaptive testing is suitable for large-scale, high-stakes tests, allowing multiple test-takers to experience a tailored exam. Nevertheless, the implementation of this method depends on the frequency and scale of the tests conducted in each country. Currently, it's not as common in Thailand as other international exams, but it is a viable option worth considering.