Types of Educational Tests

Definition

• A test is a set of questions or problems designed to assess an individual's knowledge, skills, or abilities in a particular area.

Types of Tests

• Formative Test: Evaluates student progress and understanding during the learning process.
• Summative Test: Evaluates student learning at the end of a lesson, unit, or course.
• Diagnostic Test: Identifies strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps to inform instruction.
• Achievement Test: Measures student learning at the end of a program or course.

Test Characteristics

• Validity: The extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.
• Reliability: The consistency of test results when administered under the same conditions.
• Objectivity: The degree to which test results are free from personal bias.

Test Development

• Item Analysis: The process of reviewing and refining test questions to ensure they are effective and fair.
• Test Blueprint: A detailed outline of the test structure, content, and format.

Common Test Formats

• Multiple Choice: Test-takers choose from a set of options.
• Short Answer: Test-takers provide brief written responses.
• Essay: Test-takers provide extended written responses.
• Performance Task: Test-takers complete a real-world task or problem.

Definition of a Test

• A test is a set of questions or problems designed to assess an individual's knowledge, skills, or abilities in a particular area.

Types of Tests

• Formative tests evaluate student progress and understanding during the learning process.
• Summative tests evaluate student learning at the end of a lesson, unit, or course.
• Diagnostic tests identify strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps to inform instruction.
• Achievement tests measure student learning at the end of a program or course.

Test Characteristics

• Validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.
• Reliability refers to the consistency of test results when administered under the same conditions.
• Objectivity refers to the degree to which test results are free from personal bias.

Test Development

• Item analysis is the process of reviewing and refining test questions to ensure they are effective and fair.
• A test blueprint is a detailed outline of the test structure, content, and format.

Common Test Formats

• Multiple-choice tests require test-takers to choose from a set of options.
• Short-answer tests require test-takers to provide brief written responses.
• Essay tests require test-takers to provide extended written responses.
• Performance tasks require test-takers to complete a real-world task or problem.

Types of Tests

• Formative tests evaluate student progress and understanding during a course or project, helping to identify areas of improvement.
• Summative tests assess student learning at the end of a course or project, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their knowledge.
• Diagnostic tests identify strengths, weaknesses, and knowledge gaps, enabling targeted instruction and support.
• Norm-Referenced tests compare student performance to a larger sample of students, providing a relative measure of performance.
• Criterion-Referenced tests measure student performance against a specific standard or criterion, evaluating mastery of specific skills or knowledge.

Test Validity

• Face Validity is established when a test appears to measure what it claims to measure, ensuring transparency and relevance.
• Content Validity is ensured when a test measures the relevant knowledge or skills, covering the intended curriculum.
• Construct Validity is achieved when a test measures the underlying theoretical concept or trait, tapping into the underlying construct.
• Criterion Validity is established when a test is related to a specific outcome or criterion, predicting future performance or achievement.

Test Reliability

• Test-Retest Reliability ensures that results are consistent when the same test is taken multiple times, providing a stable measure of student performance.
• Inter-Rater Reliability ensures that results are consistent when multiple testers score the same test, reducing scorer bias and error.
• Parallel Forms Reliability ensures that results are consistent when different forms of the same test are taken, providing equivalent measures of student performance.