Five steps to effective test development

Resumo

Effective test development requires a systematic, detail-oriented approach based on sound theoretical educational measurement principles. This paper discusses test development procedures or steps that typically must be accomplished in the development of most medical school assessments. Following these steps for effective test development tends to maximize validity evidence for the intended test score interpretation. These five-steps are presented as a framework, which test developers may find useful in organizing their approach to the many tasks commonly associated with test development – starting with detailed planning in Step 1, carrying through to discussions of content definition and delineation, and to creating test items. Test development consists of a series of interrelated activities, many of which depend on some prior step or steps. Careful planning and execution of a detailed plan leads to tests that more validly measure examinee ability or achievement in the well-defined content domain of interest. Adherence to this plan provides validity evidence from multiple sources. Each of the stages in the planning and development of a test is important to good measurement.

Keywords: Assessment; Medical education; Test development.

Revista HUPE, Rio de Janeiro, 2014;13(4):79-83

doi: 10.12957/rhupe.2014.13961