Utilizing the Decision-Making Approach to Rank Composite Score Construction Methods

Battery Test is usually used for decision-making in education and Admission decisions. There are several methods to construct composite scores so each method makes a different effect on the admission decision. However, which decision makes fewer errors?

present research has been conducted to rank different methods of composite score construction based on their CSEM. 10,000 random sample Data from participants of the Iran university entrance exam were used to rank six composite score construction methods. The participants' raw score arises from summing up correct responses. Normalizing and Arcsine transformation methods were used to Construct scale scores, also we used nominal, effective and Shannon weighting schemes to combine subtest scale scores. In order to rank composite score construction methods, a new approach was employed based on the MADM decision-making approach

The results revealed that the methods that use Arcsine to construct scale scores and nominal or Shannon weighting schemes to combine subtest scale scores have taken the higher ranks, and less error will occur at admission decision.

Using the Arc Sine scale score, due to less error and easier conversion, can help the interpretation and accuracy of composite test scores, while different weighting methods do not affect the accuracy of scores and in accordance with the test conditions or test builders' decision can be used.