pilottikoe

Pilottikoe is a pretest of an examination or assessment instrument conducted before its official administration to the target population. The term is commonly used in Finland to describe a trial version of a new or revised test that is not yet used for official scoring.

Purpose and use

The main aim of a pilottikoe is to evaluate the quality and functioning of test items and the overall test design. During the pilottikoe, item difficulty, discrimination, and reliability are estimated, instructions and time allocation are tested, and the administration process is reviewed. Feedback from participants and observers helps identify ambiguous or problematic questions, unclear directions, or logistical issues.

Process

A representative sample of examinees from the intended user group completes the pilottikoe under conditions that resemble the final test. Participation is typically voluntary and may involve informed consent. Data from the pilot are analyzed separately from official results, and may be used to revise items, adjust scoring rubrics, modify test length, or improve administration procedures before the final version is released.

Outcomes and relationship to final testing

Based on pilottikoe results, items may be revised, added, or removed, and the test form may be adjusted to ensure fairness and validity. The finalized examination is then administered for official scoring and certification. Pilottikkoe processes help minimize risks associated with new assessments and support evidence-based improvements.

Context

Pilottikoe is used across educational settings, language testing, and professional certification to support quality assurance in assessment development. It is related to broader concepts such as pilot studies and pretests in psychometrics and test construction.