NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What term describes when items on a test measure what they say they are measuring?

1. Construct validity

2. Criterion-related validity

3. Content validity

4. Face validity

The correct answer is: Construct validity

The correct term that describes when items on a test measure what they claim to measure is known as construct validity. Construct validity is a crucial aspect of test development because it ensures that the test is accurately reflecting the theoretical construct it is designed to assess. For example, if a test is intended to measure mathematical reasoning, strong construct validity would indicate that the test indeed assesses mathematical reasoning rather than unrelated skills or knowledge. This aspect is vital in educational assessments, as it helps in determining the relevance and rigor of the evaluation in relation to the learning objectives it intends to reflect. Establishing construct validity involves gathering evidence through various methods, including content analysis and correlating test results with other established measures that assess the same construct. To clarify the context of the other terms: criterion-related validity relates to how well one measure predicts an outcome based on another measure, content validity focuses on whether the test covers the entire content relevant to the construct, and face validity refers to whether a test appears effective in terms of its stated aims, but does not provide strong empirical evidence of validity. Thus, construct validity is distinct in its comprehensive approach to ensuring a test's items align closely with the theoretical construct it is built upon.