Lawrence M. Rudner Receives Career Achievement Award from Association of Test Publishers

GMAT Expert Recognized for Multiple Contributions To Standardized Testing Industry

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Lawrence M. Rudner, whose pioneering work in the field of psychometrics has played a key role in the development of the modern standardized testing industry, today received the 2009 Career Achievement Award from the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). Rudner accepted the award during the ATP annual conference in Palm Springs, California.

Rudner is vice president of research and development for the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®), the international association of business schools that owns the Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®).

Rudner's contributions to the testing industry include the development and refinement of techniques and tools used in the design and creation of examinations for admissions, certification, and licensure. He also designed several widely used software packages, including a system for test-question calibration and another for managing meta-analytic research studies.

Rudner has published extensively in both technical and applied journals, providing a widely respected platform for others in the testing industry to expand upon and helping to broaden the public's understanding of measurement concepts. He founded the leading testing industry journal, Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, and served as director of the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation for 18 years. In addition, Rudner was author and co-editor of several books about testing, including books published by the National Education Association and the Education Writers Association.

"The ATP Career Achievement Award honors individuals who have made sustained and positive contributions to the field of testing and measurement through research, publications, presentations, professional activities, technology, conceptualizations, or theoretical contributions over a career," said Dr. William G. Harris, CEO of ATP. "The 2009 ATP awards committee felt that Dr. Rudner best exemplified the requirements for this important award."

In his role at GMAC, Rudner leads a team of psychometricians, statisticians, and survey experts that oversees the development of all aspects of the GMAT exam and ensures the exam's consistent validity for predicting academic performance. He also supervises the Council's comprehensive survey research program, which provides intelligence about management education to business schools, the media, and the general public.

Rudner holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and Research Methods from The Catholic University of America (1977) and an MBA from the University of Maryland (1991).

"Larry's many accomplishments and contributions distinguish him as a leader in the standardized testing community," said Peg Jobst, senior vice president of GMAC services. "We are very proud and excited that he is being recognized by ATP as one of our industry's brightest stars."

The Graduate Management Admission Council (www.gmac.com), based in McLean, Virginia, is a nonprofit education organization of leading graduate business schools worldwide dedicated to creating access to and disseminating information about graduate management education. The Council owns the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), used by 4,500 management education programs at 1,900 business schools around the world to assess applicants. The GMAT was created in 1954 and remains the first and only standardized test specifically designed for graduate business and management programs. More information about the GMAT is at www.mba.com.

Established in 1992, the Association of Test Publishers (www.testpublishers.org) is a nonprofit organization representing providers of tests and assessment tools and/or services related to assessment, selection, screening, certification, licensing, educational, or clinical uses and dedicated to the highest level of professionalism and business ethics within the test publishing community.

To download a photo of Rudner, follow this link:

http://www.gmac.com/NR/rdonlyres/2B09E02F-E505-4025-81E8-9585DFD9720A/0/LawrenceMRudner_GMAC.jpg

SOURCE: Graduate Management Admission Council

Web site: http://www.gmac.com/
http://www.testpublishers.org/