Under certain conditions, an incorrectly selected test cannot only distort the results but also have a negative impact on the further life of the tested person. This may affect the ineffective training or, in the worst-case scenario, contribute to the incorrect choice of a profession. You can avoid this if you prepare in advance and learn more about the types of tests.
Standard classification
Nowadays, there are two main parameters that determine whether the test belongs to a specific category:
- Guideline – is the criterion. General group – criteria-oriented tests.
- Guideline – is the norm. General group – norm-oriented tests.
Before now, this approach to systematization was used as a way of analyzing the received results and served as a basis for comparison. Now it shows the differences at all stages of the formation of tests.
Usually, results are interpreted logically in the first type tests: questions are given, answers are found and conclusions are drawn about whether the participant is suitable for the established criteria.
The second type of tests is not limited to that, the rating indicator is added. Everything happens in the following way: tasks are given, solutions are given, conclusions are drawn about what data has the tested person and about what position he takes on the specified scale.
С базовыми параметрами этих двух видов тестирования поможет разобраться представленная таблица The following table will help to understand these two types of testing with the basic parameters:
| Parameter | Norm-oriented test | Criteria-oriented test |
| Sphere of use | Review | Detect level of information that tested person has |
| Definition | Find personal differences in the degree of knowledge obtained | To find out the tasks that a participant can do |
| Analysis of results | The results of one participant are identified with the results of others | Personal results are identified with a specific area of achievement |
| The width of coverage | A great field of achievements | A strict list of tasks is taken |
| Characteristics of the test plan | The criterial table is taken into account | Specificity of separate criteria is taken into account |
| Selection of tasks | Tasks are selected that can demonstrate a variety of assessments. Easy questions are not included | Tasks are selected which are suitable for adequate diagnosis. Difficulty of questions is not changed deliberately |
| Presentation norms | The process is determined by a certain position in the group | The process is determined by standards of an unconditional level. The quality of information that person has is calculated by defining 90% of non-standard terms and expressions |
Certain methods, goals and sphere of using the common set of tools are formed when creating the system. The option and method of development depends on the scale of its future application.
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Other ways of classification
Types of testing can be distinguished by its creation procedure, means of presenting, focus, nature of actions, the leading characteristic and the purposes of use. Consider one step at a time.
According to the creation procedure:
- Standardized. Published and generally accepted tasks used to verify the success of learning curriculum.
- Non-standardized. Informal tests are compiled by teachers and lecturers (teacher-made tests). Such tasks are focused on the pedagogical needs of several classes or groups of students.
According to the means of presenting:
- blanks (sheet of paper and pen);
- objective (verifies speed and correctness of manipulation with suggested objects);
- hardware (special diagnostic devices are used to analyze personality characteristics);
- practical (rules and special equipment are given).
Any of the above variants are suitable for educational sphere. But, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the same test, proposed in different ways, will show different results.
According to the focus:
- to find out the level of intellectual abilities;
- determinacy of achievements;
- evaluation of personality characteristics.
According to the nature of actions:
- Verbal. One needs to use his head, for example, participate in a war of words or answer a questionnaire for knowledge rating.
- Practical (non-verbal). Manipulation of the suggested objects: details, maps, shapes, blocks.
According to the leading characteristic:
- for speed (time for tasks is strictly limited);
- for complexity (there are no time limits, there are tasks with a high level of complexity);
- mixed (elements of two previous types are used).
According to the purposes of use (only in sphere of education):
- defining (reveals level of basic knowledge and type of behaviour of students at the start of training);
- diagnostic (finding weak spheres in the curriculum);
- summing up (evaluation of achievements at the last stage of learning).
Another type was formed relatively recently – online tests. They must be conducted on the Internet; the results are announced there. Such tasks can have very different focuses; therefore, they enjoy incredible demand among users. BrainApps is a service, where you will find brain developing tests made by a team of professionals. You can determine the level of intelligence with their help, find out the leading hemisphere of grey matter, learn the degree of technical intelligence and much more.
Practical usage
There are a variety of test types. Before performing a task, it is worthwhile to understand a very important thing – effective tasks can only be made by specialists. In the network, you can easily come across a non-professional test, the results of which in no case cannot be taken seriously. Learning “what kind of hero are you from the episodes of X” or “who were you in the prehistoric era,” does not appear to have practical sense.
Worthy-performed test either has a brief overview with data on its relevance, or a reference to an author who is a professional in a particular sphere. The Bennet test on BrainApps is an excellent example of this.
It is also worth noting that even the most thoughtful and accurate test will not be 100% reliable. It is only possible to evaluate skills and personality as a whole during a long conversation with him tete-a-tete. It turns out that testing is one of many diagnostic tools.
Taking questionnaires and using them for their own purposes, one must expect that they will show an approximate result. In any case, they perfectly save time and help to choose the optimal strategy of behaviour, actions or relationships.
Summarizing all this, we make two conclusions:
- if we do it, we only take tests from professionals;
- test results – no more than guidelines for further development.
For those who like the most frivolous and questionable assignments, you should treat them as a great way to spend leisure time and have fun.
