Question- What are the characteristics of a good achievement test?

Ans.

In order to shed light on the characteristics of a good achievement test let us consider four qualities that make an excellent test :

(i) Reliability : It refers to how consistently the test produces the same results when it is measured or evaluated. So far an achievement test to be considered accurate or valid, it must be consistent. It must be measure what is intended to measure in its true value.

(ii) Validity : Another point to note is to consider how much the results of the test will serve the purpose for which it was intended. Finding an answer to this question is the basis of validity in a test. The primary functions of any test is validity because a text has no value if it is not valid. An achievement test is meant to measure the level of any student and if that can't be measured accurately, the test cannot be termed valid.

(iii) Objectivity : Objectivity can affect both the reliability and validity of test results. The objectivity of a test refers to the percentage at which different people scoring a test can achieve at the same score. A good test must be free from personal errors and bias. Achievement tests must have objectivity in the scoring and in interpreting the results. No personal factor should affect the scoring of the test. Also the interpretation of the tests results should be worded and easy to understand. The results of the test should mean the same to all the students. So there should be no partial confusion and no ambiguity.

(iv) Usability : The practical value of a test cannot be ignored. When deciding on a test, consider the ease of Administration, the time required to administer the test, and how easy it is to interpret the result of the test and apply it. The test should have a specified time allocated to complete it and score of the test should be easy to interpret.

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