Erläutertest

Erläutertest is a term used in educational theory to describe a type of assessment focused on the ability to provide clear and thorough explanations of a concept or procedure. The term is German in origin, combining Erläuterung (explanation) with Test. It is not a standardized, official designation, but a descriptive label for explanation-oriented assessment tasks.

Purpose and scope: An Erläutertest aims to measure explanatory competence, including clarity, coherence, justification, and the use of examples. It complements objective tests by capturing depth of understanding, reasoning, and metacognitive awareness.

Design and scoring: Tasks are typically open-ended prompts that require the respondent to explain a concept, justify a solution, or elaborate steps. Scoring commonly uses rubrics with criteria such as accuracy, completeness, structure, relevance, and linguistic clarity. Reliability improves with detailed rubrics and rater training; validity depends on alignment with learning objectives and the intended construct of explanatory ability.

Applications: Used in higher education, language testing, cognitive psychology experiments, and professional education to assess reasoning and communication of processes. In digital learning environments, Erläutertests can provide targeted feedback and identify gaps in understanding.

See also: Erläuterung, Essay test, Performance assessment, Construct validity, Metacognition. The history and usage of the term vary by context, and the concept is often discussed under broader categories such as explainability in assessment.