What term describes the degree to which a test score can be interpreted for its intended purpose?

The term that describes the degree to which a test score can be interpreted for its intended purpose is validity. Validity refers to how well a test measures what it claims to measure and whether the inferences made from test scores are appropriate and accurate. In the context of educational assessments, a test with high validity will provide an accurate reflection of a student’s knowledge or abilities related to the specific content being assessed, ensuring that the conclusions drawn from the test results are meaningful and applicable.

For instance, if a reading comprehension test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand and analyze text, it should effectively evaluate these skills rather than measuring unrelated factors like spelling or mathematical reasoning. When a test is valid, educators can confidently use the results to make decisions about instruction, intervention, and student progress.

This contrasts with concepts like reliability, which pertains to the consistency of test scores over time, and fairness, which involves the equitable treatment of all test-takers. Consistency, while related to reliability, focuses more on the repeatability of scores rather than the appropriateness of the test’s purpose. Therefore, the key characteristic that aligns with interpreting test scores for their intended purpose is validity.