A Comparative Study of the Nedelsky and Angoff cut score procedures

Abstract

     This study aimed at investigating the validity evidence of both the Angoff and Nedelsky methods, as well as comparing the determined a cut score used to separates two different levels (masters and non-masters of the Mathematics related content). In order to gather data a criterion referenced achievement test was developed. Two samples were selected. The first sample consisted of 12 judges (subject matter experts) whose task was to estimate the performance level of the hypothetical group of "minimally competent" examinees for each item. The second sample consisted of 173 fourth grade middle school students who were randomly selected to answer the test questions. The results revealed that the cut score resulted from the application of the Angoff procedures was significantly higher than when using the Nedelsky procedures. The findings also showed that there was a significant correlation of the propability that the “minimally acceptable person” would answer each item correctly estimated by the expert judges using both methods to the actual difficulty of the test items. Finally, it was concluded that although the Angoff method demonstrated somewhat a higher internal consistency, no significant difference existed between the two methods.