Which of the following is a characteristic of a good written assessment?

• A. Validity
• B. Volatility
• C. Variety
• D. Vagueness

Answer: (A)

A characteristic of a good written assessment is validity. Validity refers to the extent to which an assessment accurately measures what it is intended to measure. In the context of educational assessments, this means that the test or written assessment effectively evaluates the knowledge, skills, or competencies it claims to assess. For example, if a math test is designed to evaluate students' understanding of algebra, it should include problems that specifically require algebraic skills without being influenced by unrelated topics. Ensuring validity helps in obtaining results that truly reflect learners' abilities and understanding.

In contrast, other options like volatility, variety, and vagueness do not align with the principles of effective assessment. Volatility implies instability or unpredictability, which is not desirable for assessment consistency. Variety can be beneficial, but if it is not focused on relevant content, it may detract from the primary objectives of assessing specific competencies. Vagueness, on the other hand, leads to ambiguity in understanding what is expected from learners, making it difficult to measure their actual performance accurately.