The term reliability in testing refers to what property?

The term reliability in testing refers to what property?

• A. bias
• B. norms
• C. reliability
• D. validity

Answer: (C)

Reliability is about the consistency of test scores. A reliable test yields similar results when the condition being measured stays the same—for example, you’d expect similar scores on repeated occasions (test-retest), when different scorers assign the same score (inter-rater), and when the items within the test hang together to measure the same construct (internal consistency). It describes how dependable the measurement is, not whether it’s measuring the right thing. Other terms describe different ideas: bias refers to systematic errors that unfairly advantage or disadvantage groups; norms are the reference standards used to interpret scores; and validity concerns whether the test actually measures what it intends to measure (and often whether it predicts outcomes). Reliability is the foundational property ensuring scores are consistent and trustworthy.

Reliability is about the consistency of test scores. A reliable test yields similar results when the condition being measured stays the same—for example, you’d expect similar scores on repeated occasions (test-retest), when different scorers assign the same score (inter-rater), and when the items within the test hang together to measure the same construct (internal consistency). It describes how dependable the measurement is, not whether it’s measuring the right thing. Other terms describe different ideas: bias refers to systematic errors that unfairly advantage or disadvantage groups; norms are the reference standards used to interpret scores; and validity concerns whether the test actually measures what it intends to measure (and often whether it predicts outcomes). Reliability is the foundational property ensuring scores are consistent and trustworthy.