Two-Parameter Logistic IRT Model (2PL)

The two-parameter logistic item response model, formalised by Frederic Lord (1980), describes the probability that a respondent answers a binary test item correctly as a smooth S-shaped function of the respondent's latent ability. By estimating a separate discrimination parameter for each item alongside a difficulty parameter, 2PL allows items to differ in how sharply they distinguish high- from low-ability respondents — making it the standard model for large-scale educational and psychological assessments.