The field test stage includes the development of the block structures (groups of items included in an assessment booklet), production time (including the printing of the booklets), and the actual data collection.
The data collection for pilot items generally takes place during an operational assessment. Personnel are already in the field, and they simply spiral these items in with the operational assessment. For example, one student may be taking the reading assessment and another may be taking some pilot items for mathematics. Between 1,000 and 1,500 responses per item are collected during this phase of the project. These responses serve as valuable input for further revisions.