Program Documentation
               CATUTIL1.EXE Computer Adaptive Test Utility

Thomas B. Wiggers
528 Cliffview Drive 
Brandon, Ms. 39042

NOTE:  Version 2.0 of the CAITEST.EXE program no longer requires one question per
QFILE when preparing % based, non competency based examinations.  This utility is still
included for instructors who wish for whatever reason to split a large QFILE into multiple
smaller QFILES each containing a single question.

This utility was designed to be of use to an instructor who wishes to prepare a non-competency
based Computer Administered Examination, and wants to save time in the preparation of the
QFILES which are necessary for the examination.
In a NON competency-based exam, questions are read sequentially from QFILES, beginning
with QFIL1.MCH and continuing through the number of files specified by the "Number of File
Sets" parameter in the configuration file for a particular examination (the .INI file).  

Procedure:

1)   Decide how many questions are to be presented to the student.

2)   Utilizing the File Rearrangement Utility of the Test Generator Program, select the
     required number of questions, either by selecting random questions, or, if sequence of the
     questions is important, selecting specific questions from files.  Select and copy these
     questions into a single data file.

3)   Rename the .RRG rearrangement file to a .MCH question file.

4)   Change to the directory containing the Test Generator Program Files and type
     "CATUTIL1"

5)   Read the initial set of instructions presented.  When ready to begin, press any key.

6)   The PATH of the Source File indicates the location of the file created in Step 2 & 3
     above.  Enter this information at this point and press [ENTER].  If the PATH does NOT
     point to a subdirectory, (i.e. A:), DO NOT type a "\" following the colon.

     Examples of CORRECT PATHS:
          A:
          C:\TESTS
          A:\CAITESTS\EXAMS

7)   Specify the name of the SOURCE FILE, which is the file you created in step 2 & 3
     above.  DO NOT enter the .MCH suffix, only the filename. Press [ENTER]

8)   Enter the PATH or location where you want the QFILES written.  Follow the conventions
     described in step 6 above. Press [ENTER] and the process will be completed.

9)   When completed you will have a set of files in the destination PATH which consist of all
     the questions in the source file, in the order that they were in that file, written to
     individually numbered QFILES, consisting of one question per file.





Any problems or questions should be addressed to: 

Thomas Wiggers
528 Cliffview Drive, 
Brandon, Ms. 39042

tel:      day  (601)984-6309 
        night  (601) 992-1373 collect.   

The programs carry a lifetime guarantee, and are NOT copy protected.  They MAY NOT be
transferred or given to another party.  Since the programs are being routinely updated and
improved, any constructive suggestions will be appreciated.



UTIL1DOC.WP6
February 21, 1994