Most Common Types Of Tests In All Categories

Scales, multiple-choice, and prioritization are today the most popular types of tests one can fill. The ”wrong or right” type of test tends to disappear as it is now only used in questionnaires. Forms that you fill in to travel, for example, will often ask you to check the ”yes” or ”no” box. In this article, we have a glimpse of each of these popular types and see what their use is and what is their historical background.

1. Declare the level of agreement or disagreement over the statement
   This type of test first appeared when specific groups of people were trying to evaluate society’s tendency regarding particular issues. For example, correlating an individual’s educational level to their social status would use these tests to reach solid conclusions. This tool would be used whenever a statistical survey or an opinion poll would have to be conducted. Another popular use would be found in the recruiters’ agencies. Specially designed tests would challenge participants to place themselves on a scale from 1 to 10 regarding many situations. At the moment, they can even be used by individuals to learn about themselves. The idea of these tests is quite rational since it takes into consideration that nothing is black and white and that quantity is strictly related to quality. Scientists and philosophers in western Europe and Russia put these boundaries over philosophy in the early 1800s. Modern scientists have surely been affected by their concepts. To understand the core of this belief, we often use the example of Oxygen (Ο). Three atoms of oxygen create the ozone (O3). Therefore the same element can completely change its quality based on its quantity. Based on the observation of nature, scientists who, at the time, were also philosophers were led to some interesting assumptions about social interactions as well as linking quantity with quality. Therefore the tests based on the scale idea give wider clues than expected.
2. Multiple choice is always in fashion
   Multiple-choice is a type of test used in all kinds of tests. From those that want to check your knowledge of a subject to those that attempt to make conclusions about your personality. The basic reason why multiple-choice has become so popular is that they are quick for the participant to fill them in and also for the one who corrects them -in case we talk about exams- or the one who wants to find the results regarding the individual’s personality. In addition, these tests have a considerable advantage over the ones that leave space for the participant’s answers. They do not leave any room for doubts, and there is no way to have a dual interpretation of the participant’s answer. This makes them be presented as more accurate and precise.
   For the same reason, we could say that this type of test has a crucial disadvantage. In case we talk about exams, there is always the possibility that someone can give an answer based on luck. Therefore, there is a possibility that someone will pass because they were just lucky. In order to eliminate this phenomenon, the test needs to have a large number of questions so that, statistically, the parameter of luck will be eliminated. If we talk about personality tests, the problem is that multiple-choice only allows a narrow range of human psychology to be revealed. For what it’s worth, in a world where time is valuable for everyone, multiple-choice tests have made their way to the top.
3. Choose among the words that describe something in the best way
   The test will most commonly take the form of giving the participant some options and asking them to select which one of those they believe describes the matter best. In some cases, they are free to choose as many options as they want, while in other cases, they have to use a particular number of the options given to them. Sometimes, there are not even options, and the participant is challenged to find 3, 4, etc., words to describe the subject adequately. The positive of this process is that the participant is not allowed to generalize the subject. Therefore there is no fear of losing focus. At the same time, there is some liberty given to the participant suggesting that there is no right and wrong answer since only the participant’s view on things will determine their answer.

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