The Construction of an Achievement Test

to some following basic principles. Wilmar Tinambunan said in his book that the following principles of achievement testing provide a firm base for constructing and using classroom test as a positive force in the teaching learning process. a. Achievement test should measure clearly defined learning outcomes that are in harmony with the instructional objectives. b. Achievement test should measure an adequate sample of the learning outcomes and subject-matter content included in the instruction. c. Achievement tests should include the types of test items which are most appropriate for measuring the desired learning outcomes. d. Achievement tests should be designed to fit the particular uses to be made of the results. e. Achievement test should be made as reliable as possible and should be then interpreted with caution. f. Achievement test should be used to improve student learning. 54 It shows that the basic principles of achievement testing are included in six analyses to be examined.

3. Types of Achievement Test

According to Wilmar Tinambunan, there are many types of test used to measure students’ achievement. Based on its function, there are four types of achievement test which are commonly used by teachers in the classroom, namely placement test, formative test, diagnostic test, and summative test. 55

a. Placement Tests

To determine pupil performance at the beginning of instruction uses placement tests. As Norman E. Gronlund said that placement evaluation is to determine pupil performance at the beginning of instruction. 56 Placement test is designed to sort new students into teaching groups, so that they can start a curse at approximately the same level as the other students in the class. It is concerned with the student’s present standing, and so relates to general ability rather than specific points of learning. As a rule the results are needed quickly so that teaching may begin. This puts a severe constraint upon the types of test that can be used. At the same time a variety of tests is 54 Wilmar Tinambunan, Evaluation of…, p. 28-35. 55 Wilmar Tinambunan, Evaluation of…, p. 7-8 56 Norman E. Gronlund, Measurement and…, 6 th Edition, p. 12.