Achievement Tests

Achievement tests, sometimes referred to as standardized tests, measure the degree to which skills taught within schools or training programs have been attained by an examinee. Attained skills can range from narrow definitions, such as spelling, to broad skills, such as graphical interpretation. The primary function of achievement tests is to measure current skill level in a well-defined domain, but achievement tests can be used to identify specific learning deficits, academic strengths and weaknesses, class-wide or school-wide achievement deficiencies, and appropriate instruction levels. They also can be used to evaluate the success of educational programs and group students according to skill level. Locally produced achievement tests are more appropriate for day-to-day instructional and grading decisions, while centrally produced evaluations are generally more appropriate for placement, guidance and counseling, selection, and public policy decisions. Curricular decisions are...