The Foundation Program's Department of Math (FPDM) had used a placement test from an international test-provider for many years, but the content of the test changed, and there was a significant discrepancy between the objectives of the test and the University's math courses. To solve this problem, the Center, in collaboration with FPDM, developed the QU-Placer Math Test based on the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (2014) and the Item Response Theory (IRT), the most recent and commonly used theory in the testing industry.
The Center followed the standard procedures for designing the assessment framework and the test blueprint. The questions underwent multi-stages of review and scrutiny, including field-testing before they were approved into the item-bank. The Center used an accurate scientific procedure to determine the cutoff scores to exempt students from the math courses. IRT and other statistical procedures were also used in calibrating and analyzing the questions and results.
Professors of psychometrics at American universities reviewed the test. The Test Advisory Board, comprised of several content and psychometrics experts from QU, international universities in Qatar, and the Ministry of Education, reviewed the test as well. The test has achieved its objectives and work is ongoing to enrich the item-bank and improve the quality of the test.