What is meant by assessment validity?

Assessment validity refers specifically to the degree to which an assessment accurately measures what it is supposed to measure. This means that if an assessment claims to evaluate a particular skill or knowledge area, validity ensures that the assessment truly reflects that competency rather than something unrelated or a different area altogether.

For instance, if a test is designed to gauge a learner’s understanding of coaching techniques, it should include questions and tasks that are directly related to that content. Assessments with high validity lead to more useful and meaningful results, as they provide confidence that the outcomes appropriately represent the skills or knowledge being measured.

Other options relate to peripheral aspects of assessments but do not define validity. For example, flexibility in a test format or speed of completion might affect practicality but do not address whether the test is effectively measuring its intended target. Similarly, the number of questions may influence reliability or comprehensiveness but does not inherently relate to the actual validity of the assessment.