Patent ID: 8202097

Claim:
A computerized method for creating test item models and generating test item variants comprising: obtaining a test item; creating a test item model by: identifying elements of the test item from which to generate variables, generating the variables based upon the identified elements, and defining the variables; wherein a particular element is identified based on a selected portion of text, wherein a particular variable is generated using a particular element based on selection of an instruction that controls generating the particular variable, and wherein a data type of the particular variable is automatically defined based on a format of the selected portion of text; receiving a plurality of constraints for a test item variant; generating with a computer the test item variant of the test item by generating values for the variables using a simultaneous constraint solver executed by the computer, wherein the simultaneous constraint solver resolves the plurality of constraints pertaining to the variables; displaying the test item variant on a display screen for review by a user; and accepting the test item variant for use as a test item for an examination.