The psychometric characteristics of PISA 2012 mathematics interest scale by classical test theory and item response theory

In this study, the Program for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2012 data collected from 4848 students at the age of going to the different types of schools in Turkey were used. The instrument was the math scale and had four-items. The scale purposed to measure students' attitudes towards mathematics. The purpose of this study is to the psychometric characteristics of this scale by using the classical test theory and item response theory approaches. The data met assumptions of both theories. It was founded that there was a high level of positive correlation between the discrimination powers and the discriminant levels were good according to the classical test theory and the item response theory. The Cronbach alpha coefficient as an internal consistency based on the classical test theory 0,894. Factor. analysis as the construct validity evidence of the scale and t-test for sample based on the criterion groups were conducted, and it was seen that the marginal reliability coefficient was 0,8851, By taking into account all evidences, it was seen that the reliability coefficient obtained across the both theories were reliable.