Which term refers to the accuracy of a test in measuring the intended trait or skill?

The term that refers to the accuracy of a test in measuring the intended trait or skill is construct validity. Construct validity assesses whether a test truly measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure, such as intelligence, motivation, or personality traits. It involves both the evidence that supports the relationships between the test scores and the expected outcomes related to the construct, as well as how well the test fits with the theoretical framework.

When a test demonstrates strong construct validity, it means that the test is effective at distinguishing between different levels or degrees of the construct in question, thereby ensuring that the assessment genuinely reflects what it is intended to measure. This characteristic is essential for the development and interpretation of psychological assessments and educational evaluations, ensuring that conclusions drawn from test scores are valid.

In contrast, content validity involves evaluating whether a test fully represents the subject matter or specific skill set it claims to measure, while face validity refers to how appropriate a test appears on its surface. Percentile scores, on the other hand, simply rank a person's performance relative to others and do not relate to the validity of what is being measured.