What quality is assessed by asking if a test produces stable and consistent results?

The quality assessed by determining whether a test produces stable and consistent results is known as reliability. Reliability focuses on the consistency of the test scores over time, across different populations, or under varying conditions. For a test to be considered reliable, it should yield similar results when administered to the same individuals multiple times, or when different versions of the test are given. This ensures that the assessment is measuring effectively and is not significantly influenced by external variables or random errors.

In contrast, test-taking skills refer to the strategies and abilities a test-taker uses during the assessment, which do not directly relate to the test's reliability or its measurement capability. Validity pertains to whether a test measures what it claims to assess, addressing the relevance and appropriateness of the inferences made from test scores. Generalizability involves the extent to which findings from a test can apply to a broader context beyond the specific conditions of the test, which is separate from the concept of reliability.