Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

The validity of a test refers to:

1. a. the consistency of results across time

2. b. whether a test measures what it claims to measure

3. c. the reliability of the test

4. d. the total score of a test

The correct answer is: b. whether a test measures what it claims to measure

The concept of validity is central to assessing the effectiveness of a test. Validity specifically refers to whether a test measures what it claims to measure. For instance, if a test is designed to assess mathematical ability, its validity is high if it effectively evaluates mathematical skills rather than unrelated abilities such as verbal reasoning. In the context of counseling and educational assessments, establishing validity ensures that the results can be accurately interpreted in relation to the intended construct. Validity can take several forms, including content validity (the extent to which the test covers the relevant content), criterion-related validity (how well one measure predicts another measure), and construct validity (how well the test measures a theoretical construct). The other choices address different aspects of testing; consistency over time pertains to reliability, which while important, is separate from the concept of validity. Similarly, reliability refers to the stability of test results rather than their accuracy in measuring the intended construct. The total score of a test merely represents the outcome of the assessment without indicating the validity of the questions asked. Thus, choice B captures the essence of validity in the context of testing.