Which type of validity asks if the test measures what it claims?

Which type of validity asks if the test measures what it claims?

• A. Content validity
• B. Construct validity
• C. Face validity
• D. Criterion validity

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is whether a test truly measures the intended theoretical construct rather than just looking like it or covering the right content. Construct validity asks exactly that: does the test measure the construct it claims to measure? Evidence comes from how test scores relate to other measures in predictable ways (convergent validity), relate to dissimilar constructs as expected (divergent validity), and from the test’s internal structure matching the theoretical model of the construct. In contrast, content validity is about items representing the domain, and face validity is about whether the test appears to measure what it should. Criterion validity looks at how well test scores predict or relate to external criteria. Therefore, this item targets construct validity.

The main idea here is whether a test truly measures the intended theoretical construct rather than just looking like it or covering the right content. Construct validity asks exactly that: does the test measure the construct it claims to measure? Evidence comes from how test scores relate to other measures in predictable ways (convergent validity), relate to dissimilar constructs as expected (divergent validity), and from the test’s internal structure matching the theoretical model of the construct. In contrast, content validity is about items representing the domain, and face validity is about whether the test appears to measure what it should. Criterion validity looks at how well test scores predict or relate to external criteria. Therefore, this item targets construct validity.