SUBMITTED BY

CHINCHU.G
MATHEMATICS

Introduction
A test is an assessment intended to measure a test-takers knowledge, skill,
aptitude, physical fitness or classification in many other topics. An ideal test has
several characteristics. The assumption that good items will necessary produce a
good test may not always cone true. Test developers should go one more step to
determine the characteristics of the total test. Therefore the test developers focuses
on total test characteristics that include objectivity, comprehensiveness validity
reliability, practicability, comparability, utilities, Discriminating power .

Qualities of a Good Test

A good test should possess the following qualities.
* Objectivity
* Objective Basedness
* Comprehensiveness
* Validity
* Reliability
* Discriminating Power
* Practicability
* Comparability
* Utility

* Objectivity
A test is said to be objective if it is free from personal biases in interpreting
its scope as well as in scoring responses objectivity is the opposite of subjectivity.
A test become subjective when questions are vague or loosely stated and the
scoring depends upon the arbitarary judgement of each examiner, objectivity of a
test can be increased by using more objectivity of a test can be increased by using
more objective type test items and the answers are scored according to model
answers provided. It is one of the most primary pre-requisites for maintaining all
other qualities of good test.

* Objective Baseness
Any test should be based on pre-determined objectives. The setter should
have definite idea about objective behind each item. Also objective taken together
should be in accordance with weight age given in design of test.

* Comprehensiveness
Test should cover the whole syllabus. Due importance should be given to all
relevant learning materials. Also cover all the anticipated objectives.

* Validity
A test is said to be valid, if it measures what it intends to measure when
aritically examined from this point of view, most of the teacher made tests are not
valid. Suppose a teacher of mathematics asks for the proof of a theorem or the
solution of a problem which has been cleared by candidate and claim that is
objective is to test the ability for analysis or application, the claim is not valid. The
student who has not developed the ability concerned can score high marks by
memorizing by hearted answer and reproducing it mechanically without
understanding the meaning.

* Reliability
Reliability of a test refers to the degree of consistency with which it
measures what it is indented to measure. For example think of a test in
mathematics administrated to a class of forty students on the basis of which they
were ranked without giving opportunity to enhance their achievement the same test
is given to same group after a period of one week. If the result of test is reliable,
the ranking of students in two tests should not be very difficult. On the other hand,
twentieth rank holder in first instance secures the third rank holder in first instance
secures the third rank later we cannot rely on result and pass.

* Discriminating power
A test should be able to discriminate the respondents on the basis of
phenomena measured. For example, an achievement test has function of grading
the examines and ranking them. Suppose all the questions in the test are too
simple for standard of students. If all the items in the test are too difficult for the
students, majoirty cannot answer and discrimination will be difficult.

* Practicability
A test, even if satisfies all the above criteria, may be useless, unless it is not
feasible. For example, suppose in order to ensure comprehensiveness it was felt
that thousand items should be given to be answered in ten hours. This may yield
valid results, but from practical point of view, it may not possible to conduct such
test.

* Comparability
A test process comparability when sources obtained by administrating can be
interpreted in terms of a common base that the natural or accepted meaning. There
are two methods for establishing the comparability of standard tests.

* Utility
Utility of a test may be considered as a final master criterian. A test has
utility if it provides the test conditions that would facilitate realisation of purpose
for when it is meant.

Conclusion
The procedures for test construction may seem tedious. However, regardless
of the complexity of the tasks in determining the reliability, validity, practicability,
utility, etc. of a test, these concepts means that in order to have an acceptable and
defendable test, upon which reasonably sound decisions can be made, test
developers should go through planning, preparing, reviewing and pretesting
processes. On the basis of the results of pretesting and reviewing test developers
should make all necessary modification on the test.

Reference
* Methodology of teaching and pedagogic analysis: Dr.K. soman,
Dr.K.Sivarajan
* Wikipedia.