What term describes the degree to which a test consistently measures what it is intended to measure?

The term that describes the degree to which a test consistently measures what it is intended to measure is reliability. Reliability refers to the consistency and stability of the scores obtained from a test over repeated administrations or under varying conditions. For example, if a test is administered multiple times and produces similar results each time, it is considered reliable. This is crucial because high reliability indicates that the test yields stable results that can be trusted for making decisions regarding the individuals being assessed.

In contrast, validity refers to the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure, rather than focusing solely on consistency. Fairness relates to ensuring that all test-takers have an equal opportunity to succeed, while clarity pertains to how well the questions and instructions are understood. Each of these terms plays a distinct role in the assessment process, but reliability specifically focuses on the consistency of the measurement.