Academicians, firms play integral role in computerization of CPA exam.

• Position: Accounting & auditing news - Certified public accountants - Brief Article

To help ensure the smooth transition of the Uniform CPA Examination from a paper-and-pencil exam to a computer-based one, the AICPA/NASBA Computerization Implementation Committee (CIC) is seeking colleges, universities and CPA firms willing to administer new test items to students and CPA candidates. Through an extensive network where pre-testing is conducted in the expected computer-based test (CBT) environment, a large number of test items (along with case-study simulations) will be presented to motivated test-takers with knowledge and skills similar to the candidate population. From that, precise information can be gathered on the effectiveness of computerized delivery of questions and CBT simulation quality.

In addition, the pencil-and-paper administrations will continue to be used to pre-test a large number of new test questions of traditional format over the next two years.

The pre-testing effort entails presenting, in a two-hour testing session, sets of multiple-choice items (testlets) from any new examination section in a secure, proctored, standardized computer laboratory environment to appropriately prepared individuals. Schools and firms that assist with pre-testing will benefit from early exposure of their students and staff to topics and simulation exercises that will be included in the CBT. Proportion-correct scores on pre-test sections and performance profiles will be available to participants for informational purposes.

To be able to establish systems and procedures that can be easily employed in large-scale pre-testing, a very limited "beta" pre-testing effort (using only multiple-choice questions) will be...