Accurate measures of youth fitness are needed by researchers and practitioners. Evidence of validity and reliability are essential before results of youth fitness tests can be used to make sound decisions. This article describes a three-stage paradigm for validation research and provides guidance for conducting and understanding norm-referenced…

Though domain-oriented and norm-referenced tests are appropriate for some situations, objective-oriented and criterion-referenced tests must be used to gather additional information. Objectives for such tests must include a statement of the desired performance, the test conditions, and the standards of acceptance. When tests are constructed the…

Discusses advantages and disadvantages of norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests. (JF)

One of the big problems in migrant education is the need to determine quickly the educational level of the student so that his learning progress can continue as he moves from one school to another. Normative-referenced tests provide little help for the teacher. The author describes a new type of test (the criterion-referenced test), soon to be…

Decisions based on standardized tests are made everyday. It is not a question of whether tests should be used, but how. ( Author/MLF)

We devised criterial recollection tests to investigate why testing memory for pictures elicits lower false recognition than testing memory for words. Subjects studied unrelated black words paired either with the same word in red font, a corresponding picture, or both. They then took three memory tests, always using black words: a recognition test…

Brantmeier [Brantmeier, C., 2006. "Advanced L2 learners and reading placement: self-assessment, computer-based testing, and subsequent performance." 'System 34" (1), 15-35] found that self-assessment (SA) of second language (L2) reading ability is not an accurate predictor for computer-based testing or subsequent classroom performance. With 359…

A historical description and chronological account of an experience in which an urban school system adopted a criterion-referenced testing program through contract with a publisher is given. A proposal was developed, objectives reviewed, and tests constructed and reviewed. Reports and training programs for school staff were also developed. The…

Discusses the usefulness of criterion-referenced tests and norm-referenced tests in gathering data appropriate for decision-making in relation to the basic characteristics of the two types of test, the purposes for which the test information is used, and the kind of information needed for decision-making. (BR)

These results suggest that knowledge of a criterion group may not consistently alter the test performance of persons from minority groups. (Author)

In keeping with the theme of the International Language Testing Association/Language Testing Research Colloquium Conference in 2008, "Focusing on the Core: Justifying the Use of Language Assessments to Stakeholders," I define "stakeholder-friendly tests," "defensible testing," and "testing-context analysis."…

A filmstrip with associated audio track has been developed to cover the major planning steps in the development of a measurement instrument such as a test or questionnaire. The filmstrip addresses the following six questions: Why am I testing? What should I test? Whom am I testing? What kinds of questions should I use? How long should my test be?…

Results are presented of an investigation made to (1) provide a description of the testing models that are currently being used in selected individualized instructional programs, (2) compare three programs along the component parts of the testing model, namely, selection of a program of study, criterion-referenced testing on the unit objectives,…

"Content validity" has been widely but unwisely hailed as a solution to many problems in employee selection. The author argues that sampling from content domains cannot logically be substituted for criterion related validity. He suggests that evaluations of scores be based on the principle of construct validation. (Editor/RK)

Seventeen handicapped and nonhandicapped preschool children were given both the norm referenced Gesell Developmental Schedules and the criterion based HICOMP progress measure on a quarterly (10 week) basis. (Author/SBH)