The term for “the extent to which an assessment measures what it claims to measure” is validity.

Quick Scoop

  • Validity is about how accurately a test or assessment measures the specific skill, knowledge, or construct it is intended to measure.
  • If a math test mainly depends on reading hard word problems, it may have low validity for measuring pure math skill because reading difficulty interferes with the construct being assessed.
  • In education and psychology, validity is considered essential because decisions (grades, placement, selection) are only as sound as the degree to which the assessment scores are valid for their intended purpose.

In short, when asking about the “extent to which an assessment measures what it claims to measure,” the correct concept is validity.