National Counselor Exam (NCE)

What characteristics define a "good" test?

1. Engaging content and clear instructions

2. Convenient administration and easy scoring

3. Reliability, validity, and established norms

4. Comprehensive coverage of the subject matter

The correct answer is: Reliability, validity, and established norms

A good test is characterized primarily by its reliability, validity, and established norms. Reliability refers to the consistency of the test results over time or across different populations; a reliable test will yield similar results under similar conditions, ensuring that the scores are trustworthy. Validity indicates whether the test measures what it is supposed to measure; a valid test accurately reflects the specific knowledge or skills it aims to assess. Established norms provide a framework for interpreting test scores by offering comparative data from a relevant population, which helps to contextualize individual scores within a broader framework. While engaging content, clear instructions, convenient administration, and ease of scoring contribute to the overall user experience and practicality of a test, these factors do not inherently determine the quality of the test in terms of measurement. Similarly, comprehensive coverage of the subject matter is important, but it alone does not ensure that the test accurately assesses the intended constructs or maintains consistency across administrations. Therefore, the primary attributes that distinguish a "good" test revolve around reliability, validity, and established norms, making option C the most defining characteristics.