Research On SAT Test Development From The Perspective Of Validity

The test is to develop the test content as well as prove the effectiveness of the interpreting and using the examination results,that is,validity.Validity is the core index to evaluate the quality of examination development.This paper takes the American SAT as the research object,based on the relationship between the previous reforms of SAT and its validity.This paper focuses on the SAT following the new round of reform in 2014,and verifies the validity of SAT test development with Kane's argument-based approach to validity verification.By summing up the characteristics of SAT test development,this paper explores its enlightenment to China's college entrance examination evaluation system.The development of Validity Theory has an impact on the standards of educational psychological measurement,and they promote the scientific and objective test development.An analysis of the past SAT reforms indicates that when the validity verification model of SAT did not keep up with the latest validity theory in time,the interpretation and use of SAT test results would be questioned.The main reason for the redesigned SAT in 2014 is that more and more high school graduates are not well prepared for college and career.This study introduces the formation path and connotation of the College and Career Readiness and the Common Core State Standards in U.S.A.,and defines the SAT test objectives.Then through the introduction of the SAT test measurement objectives,test content and test form,this paper discusses what and how to test under the SAT system.And through the explanation and demonstration framework of the argument-based validity theory,the paper analyzes the college and career objectives and the evidence needed for SAT.Finally,according to the explanation and demonstration framework and the logical process of SAT test development,the paper verifies whether the test development following the redesigned SAT can really collect the expected explanation evidence of test scores,that is,whether SAT can effectively measure the goal of College and Career Readiness.The results show that the development of SAT after the 2014 reform is generally effective.The establishment of evidence-based objectives,the development of standards based examinations and the score report based on benchmarks make the SAT test reasonable in terms of the objectives and the results,and the evidence is transmitted layer by layer,forming a complete evaluation system.But as the SAT is a commercialized system,its cost-benefit goal results in the single examination form,limiting its ability to measure the scholastic aptitude.Compared with the SAT,the design of the college entrance examination evaluation system in China is characterized by the value guidance,more abundant examination contents and diversified examination methods,which also increases the difficulty of the development of the college entrance examination in China.However,insufficient attention has been drawn to the test validity in China,which will affect the realization of the top-level design of the evaluation system.Therefore,China's college entrance examination evaluation system should increase the application of educational measurement theory and technology,improve the level of empirical research in educational examination,so as to improve the validity of test development.By strengthening the professional construction of examination institutions,the theoretical and practical ability of examination evaluation can thus be improved.