The Type of Test
of an instrument before they use the resulting information. A classroom test should be both consistent and relevant.
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Validity refers to the extent to which the results of an evaluation procedure serve the particular uses for which they are intended. If the results are to be used
to describe pupil achievement, teachers should like them to represent the specific achievement they wish to describe or to represent all aspects of the achievement
they wish to describe. If the results are to be used to predict pupil success in some future activity, they should like them to provide as truthful an indication of future
success as possible.
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Test validity is the most critical factor to be judged in the total program of foreign language testing. A test is valid when it measures effectively what is
intended to measure. For example, if a test is designed to measure aural comprehension, it must do exactly this and not attempt to measure another skill
such as reading comprehension. There are some different ways, in which validity can be established. Most
writers differ from each other in approaching and classifying validity. For the more detailed explanation of validity, the writer will discuss in the next
subchapter. The second characteristic of a good test is reliability. Reliability or stability of
a language test is concerned with the degree to which it can be trusted to produce the same result upon repeated administration to the same individual or to give
consistent information about the value of a learning variable being measured.
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Therefore, to be considered reliable, a language test must obtain consistent result and give consistent information.
The third characteristic of a good test is practicality. Practicality means that test should be practical in administrating it. The criteria for practicality normally
17
Wilmar Tinambunan, Evaluation of Student Achievement, p. 11
18
Ibid.
19
Mary Finocchiaro and Sydney Sake, Foreign Language Testing, p. 28
will be based upon such factors as economy, scorability, and administrability. Economy means that the test should be as economical as possible in cost.
Scorability means that scoring of the test can be done easily effectively, without giving a confusing matter and spending more time. Administrability means that
the test should be easy to administer. First, there should be a training session for test administration, because it will facilitate the operation and save time an effort
later on. Second, test instructions should be clear and concise, and yet totally comprehensible and complete.
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