The Purposes of Testing

DOE-HDBK-1205-97

2. THE PURPOSES OF TESTING

There are several reasons for using tests in job and training environments. These include:

Trainee assessment

Trainee selection and placement

Trainee motivation

Instructional improvement

Program evaluation

Testing as a teaching instrument.

These reasons each have their benefits and are applicable to the development and conduct

of DOE training programs. In a program based on the systematic approach to training, tests

are normally designed and developed for the purpose of trainee assessment. However, the

other reasons listed can also be acieved by analyzing and interpreting the test results.

2.1 Trainee Assessment

When designing a test, the purpose of the test should always be to evaluate which learning

objectives have been met and therefore the knowledge acquired or which tasks or partial

tasks a trainee is qualified to perform. However, the results of the test may be used to tell

us more than that when combined with other evaluation results. For example, results may

indicate that:

the trainee qualifies for advanced placement or exception

the material on a particular subject needs upgrading

a particular test question is poorly worded.

When properly developed and conducted, testing should provide a valid and reliable

indicator of trainee performance. Whether written, oral, or performance, tests provide the

most complete and efficient method of collecting and documenting data on trainee

performance. Observation interviews and other applied research methods can also offer a

significant amount of information.