What is the term that describes the degree to which a test measures what it was designed to measure?

The term that describes the degree to which a test measures what it was designed to measure is validity. Validity ensures that the assessment is accurately assessing the skills, knowledge, or attributes it claims to measure. For instance, if a test is intended to evaluate firefighting skills, it must align closely with the actual tasks and knowledge required in firefighting scenarios.

In the context of educational and training assessments, such as those administered by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, validity is crucial because it confirms that the results of the test truly reflect the competencies of the individuals being tested. If a test has high validity, it can be trusted to provide meaningful information about a candidate's ability or performance related to the subject matter.

While reliability refers to the consistency of a test's results over time, and trustworthiness reflects a broader concept of credibility, these terms do not specifically address whether the test measures what it intends to measure. Similarly, consistency denotes uniformity in outcomes, but it does not inherently confirm the accuracy or relevance of what is being assessed. Thus, validity stands out as the correct term for the concept in question.