Test in education refers to a device
containing a set of sequentially arranged questions or tasks to be given to
students, requiring them to provide their responses individually. By awarding
marks to the responses provided for the test items, students achievement can be
evaluated and compared.
CATEGORISATION OF TESTS:
1. Achievement tests: Meant for measuring the
achievements of students.
2. Diagnostic tests: For filling the deficiency
of the shortcomings in students learning.
3. Prognostic tests: Measure the capacity of person
for predicting his success in a particular field. (aptitude tests)
vAchievement tests:
ªPurpose
of Achievement tests:
·
They help to
measure the proficiency achieved in knowledge, understanding and skills
achieved by students in a specified subject and to determine the relative
position of each student in the class.
·
The helping in
grading students, according to their learning achievement.
·
They help in
deciding who are all to be promoted to the next higher class.
·
They help to know
the entry level knowledge and the skill of students at the beginning of an
academic year.
· Motivating
students before providing a new assignment.
· To test whether
the instruction objectives have been achieved or not.
·
To help the
teacher to know how far the teaching method employed has been successful.
·
To help the
teacher know the fruits of his labour.
·
To inform
parents, the progress of their children in different school subjects.
· To identify the
content areas in which students struggle to learn and arrange for remedial
measures.
ªTypes of Achievement Tests:
· Teacher made tests:
§ These tests are created by teachers
themselves for assessing student learning within a specific classroom context.
§ Examples: Chapter tests, End
of Unit Tests, Homework quizzes, Classroom Assignments.
§
Teacher made
tests are specific to the syllabus, portions and standards in which the
students study.
§
Through these
achievement tests, a teacher can know the learning proficiency of a student in
his class.
§
They are called
non standardised tests.
·
Standardised
tests:
§ These tests have a fixed format, are administered
under standardized conditions, and allow for comparison across different
students or schools.
§
In these tests
subject contents are selected, and based upon which the question paper is
prepared.
§
The test items in
question paper are verified by experts, uniform test procedures and scoring
systems are developed and norms are stated explicitly.
§
Ex: public
examinations conducted on the state level - State board examinations, SAT,
NEET, JEE.
·
Criterion
referenced tests:
§
These tests
determine whether an individual meets specific performance standards or
criteria.
§
Instead of
comparing to peers, they focus on absolute mastery.
§
Ex: passing a
driving test requires meeting certain criteria, regardless of how others
perform.
·
Norm
referenced tests:
§
Norm-referenced
tests compare an individual’s performance to that of a larger group (the
“norm”).
§
They help
educators understand how a student’s achievement ranks relative to peers.
§
Examples include
standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.
vDiagnostic tests:
ªPurpose of Diagnostic tests:
· The major purpose of diagnostic test are to
identify the concepts in the subject content which students find it difficult
to learn, nature of the learning difficulties and the remedial measures
required for them.
·
Identifying the
learning concept that students struggle to learn.
·
Finding the
errors, students commit and their nature.
·
Identifying the
inadequacy in specific skills that are required to understand those concepts
which students struggle to learn.
·
For determining
which content areas require or individualized instruction.
·
Serving as the
basis for the modifications is required in the teaching method.
·
Providing
feedback to the teacher and students to know their respective shortcomings in teaching
- learning process.
vPrognostic tests:
In education prognostic test is nothing but an
aptitude tests.
· Selecting students and teachers for a course
of study or vocation.
· For providing educational and vocational
guidance for pupils.
· Selection and training of people based upon
aptitude test will be socially productive in long run, and will also yield
maximum job satisfaction for the incumbents.
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