High-stakes testing

==Assessments used==

==Assessments used==

{{Grading}}

Any form of assessment can be used as a high-stakes test. Many times, an inexpensive multiple-choice test is chosen for convenience. A high-stakes assessment may also involve answering open-ended questions or a practical, hands-on section. For example, a typical high-stakes licensing exam for a medical [[nurse]] determines whether the nurse can insert an I.V. line by watching the nurse actually do this task. These assessments are called ''[[authentic assessment]]s'' or ''performance tests''.<ref name="CPE" />

Any form of assessment can be used as a high-stakes test. Many times, an inexpensive multiple-choice test is chosen for convenience. A high-stakes assessment may also involve answering open-ended questions or a practical, hands-on section. For example, a typical high-stakes licensing exam for a medical [[nurse]] determines whether the nurse can insert an I.V. line by watching the nurse actually do this task. These assessments are called ''[[authentic assessment]]s'' or ''performance tests''.<ref name="CPE" />

As with other tests, high-stakes tests may be [[criterion-referenced test|criterion-referenced]] or [[norm-referenced test|norm-referenced]].<ref name="CPE" /> For example, a written driver's license examination typically is criterion-referenced, with an unlimited number of potential drivers able to pass if they correctly answer a certain percentage of questions. On the other hand, essay portions of some [[bar exam]]s are often norm-referenced, with the worst essays failed and the best essays passed, without regard for the overall quality of the essays.

As with other tests, high-stakes tests may be [[criterion-referenced test|criterion-referenced]] or [[norm-referenced test|norm-referenced]].<ref name="CPE" /> For example, a written driver's license examination typically is criterion-referenced, with an unlimited number of potential drivers able to pass if they correctly answer a certain percentage of questions. On the other hand, essay portions of some [[bar exam]]s are often norm-referenced, with the worst essays failed and the best essays passed, without regard for the overall quality of the essays.

The "clear line" between passing and failing on an exam may be achieved through use of a [[Cutscore|cut score]]: for example, test takers correctly answering 75% or more of the questions pass the test; test takers correctly answering 74% or fewer fail, or don't "[[wikt:make the cut|make the cut]]". In large-scale high-stakes testing, rigorous and expensive [[standard-setting study|standard-setting studies]] may be employed to determine the ideal cut score or to keep the test results consistent between groups taking the test at different times.

The "clear line" between passing and failing on an exam may be achieved through use of a [[Cutscore|cut score]]: for example, test takers correctly answering 75% or more of the questions pass the test; test takers correctly answering 74% or fewer fail, or don't "[[wikt:make the cut|make the cut]]". In large-scale high-stakes testing, rigorous and expensive [[standard-setting study|standard-setting studies]] may be employed to determine the ideal cut score or to keep the test results consistent between groups taking the test at different times.

==Criticisms==

==Criticisms==