instructional test

Any device/technique used to measure the performance, skill level and knowledge of an individual. See appropriate types listed below: Achievement test. A test for measuring an individual's attainment of knowledge/skills as the result of specific teaching or training. Aptitude test. A test or battery of tests designed to show a person's capacity for a particular type of behavior in a single field or in several related fields. Comparative test. A test given at the completion of a major section of a course and, as required, at completion of a course to measure whether the student has mastered the course learning objectives. Criterion-referenced test. A test that establishes whether or not a unit or individual performs the learning objective to the established standard. Performance is measured asa "go" or "no-go" against a prescribed criterion or set of criteria - the learning objective standard. It is scored based upon absolute standards, such as job competency, rather than upon relative standards, such as class standings. Diagnostic test. A test used to measure performance against a criterion and to identify specific areas of weakness or strength in individual knowledge and skills. End-of-course comprehensive test. An end-of-course test, administered to all initial entry students prior to graduation, designed to ensure a high probability that students canperform all critical tasks taught in the course. It provides feedback on the need for both reinforcement training and course revisions. Entry skills test. A test designed to determine if a student already possesses certain knowledge or skills needed as a prerequisite before undertaking new instruction. Field test. Tryout of any training course on a representative sample of the student target population to gather data on the effectiveness of instruction in regard to error rates, criterion test performance, and time to complete the course. Heuristic test. Heuristic or discovery tests will present problem-solving simulations that emulate the on-the-job environment. These tests present the student with stimulusinformation that is inadequate, incomplete, ambiguous, or irrelevant to the simulated environment. The student will be required to synthesize knowledge and apply trainingreceived in order to solve the job performance simulation. Job performance test. A test used to determine whether an individual can perform a job. It may include all job performance measures for a job or a subset of the jobperformance measures. Knowledge test. A test that measures the achievement of theory supporting skill through the use of test items written at the appropriate knowledge and training levels. Multiple-choice test. A type of selection test in which the student is asked to choose for each test item the answer(s) that is most correct. Non-language test. Identical to the definition for "nonverbal test". Nonverbal test. A test that requires little or no speaking, reading, or understanding of language on the part of the examinee either in connection with comprehending directions or making responses. Directions may be given pictorially or in pantomime. Also called "non-language test”.