The Information Literacy Test (ILT) is a computerized, multiple-choice test developed collaboratively by the JMU Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS) and JMU Libraries. It is designed to assess the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. These standards call for an information literate student to:
- Determine the nature and extent of the information needed;
- Access needed information effectively and efficiently;
- Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system;
- Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose;
- Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and access and use information ethically and legally.
The ILT measures Standards 1, 2, 3, and 5. It does not address Standard 4, as this competency is not easily measured by a multiple-choice test. The ILT may be used for program assessment or to test the competency of individual students. The primary focus during test development was on college students, whether graduate or undergraduate, enrolled at either a four-year university or community college. To determine if the ILT is appropriate for any population, one should consider the standards (noted above) that the ILT was created to assess. If these standards sufficiently align with the learning objectives of the information literacy program in question, the test may be considered appropriate. In addition, a potential test user should consider examining the items. If the items appear to be covering the appropriate topic areas and skills, and if they appear to be written at an appropriate level of difficulty, the ILT should be considered as appropriate for that particular population.
View a PDF of the Information Literacy Test (ILT) Test Manual
Please click here if you wish to view a demo of our test questions.