Page 129 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Unit 9 : Test Standardization

9.8 Summary Notes

• A standardised test is expertly and carefully planned, constructed and administered; it
provides tables of norms for interpretation of scores. It provides for comprehensive coverage
of achievements for comparable scores in different areas. Profiles of test scores indicate
pupils’ general level of achievement and their specific strengths and weaknesses. Subset
scores may be quite unreliable for effective use. Standardised achievement test scores are
useful in facilitating inspection and in evaluating its results. Standard test scores provide
information that contribute to evaluation of teacher competence, but should not be used as
the sole basis for this purpose. In general, locally designed testing programmes are more
relevant to local needs, although these are less expertly designed than external testing
programme; which in turn are criticised for emphasising only verbal and quantitative
skills, penalising creative thinkers. Essential functions served by tests of technical or
professional competence would be better served if those who develop such tests were
better trained end had paid more attention to the problems of test validity.
• Most of the, standardised tests are broad survey measure of areas of achievement. Such
survey tests are connected primarily with selection, placement, guidance, curricular decision
and public policy decisions. Since diagnostic testing is a time-consuming enterprise, their
development and use is reserved for the students who face serious problems or weaknesses
in some specific area of achievement. At secondary level, centrally produced achievement
tests provide evidence of outstanding competence for advanced placement and of minimal
competence as a basic outcome of schooling. State-wise programme of testing vacillates
between attempt to make objective referenced interpretation of achievements in local schools
and global appraisal of effectiveness of different schools and school systems.

9.9 Keywords

Standard : The level of quality that is normal or acceptable for a particular person.
Validation : To prove that something is true
ambiguity : The state of having more than one possible meaning

9.10 Review Questions

1. Write short notes on
(a) Validity of a test (b) Objectivity (c) Content analysis

2. Give the types of norms
3. Explain the reliability Coefficient
4. What the practical uses of Standardised tests?
5. Explain about the planning of testing programme.
Answers : Self Assessment
1. (i) norms (ii) grade norms (iii) Discriminating power
(iv) standardisation

2. (i) T (ii) F (iii) T

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