In many testing programs it is assumed that the context or position in which an item is administered does not have a differential effect on examinee responses to the item. Violations of this assumption may bias item response theory estimates of item and person parameters. This study examines the potentially biasing effects of item position. A hierarchical generalized linear model is formulated for estimating item‐position effects. The model is demonstrated using data from a pilot administration of the GRE wherein the same items appeared in different positions across the test form. Methods for detecting and assessing position effects are discussed, as are applications of the model in the contexts of test development and item analysis.