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## Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test

#### Susanne Alger [1]

##### 303 815

One important step for assessing the quality of a test is to examine the reliability of test score interpretation. Which aspect of reliability is the most relevant depends on what type of test it is and how the scores are to be used. For criterion-referenced tests, and in particular certification tests, where students are classified into performance categories, primary focus need not be on the size of error but on the impact of this error on classification. This impact can be described in terms of classification consistency and classification accuracy. In this article selected methods from classical test theory for estimating classification consistency and classification accuracy were applied to the theory part of the Swedish driving licence test, a high-stakes criterion-referenced test which is rarely studied in terms of reliability of classification. The results for this particular test indicated a level of classification consistency that falls slightly short of the recommended level which is why lengthening the test should be considered. More evidence should also be gathered as to whether the placement of the cut-off score is appropriate since this has implications for the validity of classifications.

reliability, criterion-referenced test, driving licence test, classification consistency, decision consistency, single administration
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Subjects Education, Scientific Disciplines July Articles Author: Susanne Alger
 Bibtex @research article { ijate245198, journal = {International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education}, issn = {}, eissn = {2148-7456}, address = {İzzet KARA}, year = {2016}, volume = {3}, pages = {137 - 150}, doi = {10.21449/ijate.245198}, title = {Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test}, key = {cite}, author = {Alger, Susanne} } APA Alger, S . (2016). Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test. International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education, 3 (2), 137-150. DOI: 10.21449/ijate.245198 MLA Alger, S . "Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test". International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education 3 (2016): 137-150 Chicago Alger, S . "Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test". International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education 3 (2016): 137-150 RIS TY - JOUR T1 - Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test AU - Susanne Alger Y1 - 2016 PY - 2016 N1 - doi: 10.21449/ijate.245198 DO - 10.21449/ijate.245198 T2 - International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education JF - Journal JO - JOR SP - 137 EP - 150 VL - 3 IS - 2 SN - -2148-7456 M3 - doi: 10.21449/ijate.245198 UR - https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.245198 Y2 - 2016 ER - EndNote %0 International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test %A Susanne Alger %T Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test %D 2016 %J International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education %P -2148-7456 %V 3 %N 2 %R doi: 10.21449/ijate.245198 %U 10.21449/ijate.245198 ISNAD Alger, Susanne . "Is This Reliable Enough? Examining Classification Consistency and Accuracy in a Criterion-Referenced Test". International Journal of Assessment Tools in Education 3 / 2 (July 2016): 137-150. https://doi.org/10.21449/ijate.245198