Which validity is demonstrated when test items are shown to measure specific criteria or pre-determined standards?

Which validity is demonstrated when test items are shown to measure specific criteria or pre-determined standards?

• A. Construct validity
• B. Criterion-related validity
• C. ESEA
• D. LAS

Answer: (B)

Criterion-related validity is shown when test items are aligned with external criteria or pre-set standards. If the items are designed to target specific criteria and performance on the test reflects those criteria, the test is performing as a measure tied to established benchmarks. This type of validity provides evidence that the test is responsible for assessing the outcomes the standards specify, rather than just matching an abstract idea about ability. It isn’t about whether the test taps into a broader theoretical construct (that would be construct validity). And it isn’t about a test’s relationship to an external outcome or another test (that would be criterion-related validity in a predictive or concurrent sense, but the phrasing here emphasizes alignment with predefined standards). The options ESEA and LAS aren’t types of validity to evaluate this way.

Criterion-related validity is shown when test items are aligned with external criteria or pre-set standards. If the items are designed to target specific criteria and performance on the test reflects those criteria, the test is performing as a measure tied to established benchmarks. This type of validity provides evidence that the test is responsible for assessing the outcomes the standards specify, rather than just matching an abstract idea about ability.

It isn’t about whether the test taps into a broader theoretical construct (that would be construct validity). And it isn’t about a test’s relationship to an external outcome or another test (that would be criterion-related validity in a predictive or concurrent sense, but the phrasing here emphasizes alignment with predefined standards). The options ESEA and LAS aren’t types of validity to evaluate this way.