Tests

A test is a structured procedure or tool used to measure knowledge, abilities, aptitudes, attitudes, or other characteristics. Tests are designed to yield information that can be quantified or categorized, enabling comparisons across individuals, groups, or over time.

Tests appear in many domains. Educational tests assess learning outcomes and proficiency; standardized tests use uniform procedures and normative data. Psychological tests evaluate mental processes and traits; medical tests diagnose conditions; software tests verify functionality; scientific tests examine hypotheses under controlled conditions.

Key principles include reliability (consistency of results across occasions), validity (whether a test measures what it claims to measure), and fairness (bias minimization). Tests may be norm-referenced or criterion-referenced, and they often rely on standardized administration and scoring procedures.

The development of a test typically involves defining purpose, designing items, pilot testing, and validation studies. Ethical considerations include informed consent, privacy, and the potential for unintended consequences. Limitations include measurement error, cultural bias, and the influence of test-taking conditions.

Results are usually reported as scores, percentiles, or categories, interpreted with reference to norms or criteria. Tests inform decisions in education, clinical practice, employment, and research, but are most useful when complemented by other information and interpreted by qualified professionals.