In the context of assessment, what does "validity" refer to?

Validity in the context of assessment refers to the extent to which an assessment measures what it is intended to measure. This concept is crucial because it ensures that the conclusions drawn from the assessment results are meaningful and accurate. For instance, if a test is designed to evaluate mathematical skills, its validity would depend on whether it accurately assesses those skills rather than unrelated areas such as reading comprehension or general knowledge.

When an assessment has high validity, it demonstrates that the items and tasks included genuinely reflect the specific constructs or competencies that it claims to measure, making its outcomes reliable for decision-making processes such as grading, placements, or further instructional planning.