What is the difference between validity and reliability in testing?

The distinction between validity and reliability is crucial in understanding how tests function within psychological measurement. Validity refers to the extent to which a test accurately measures what it is intended to measure. For example, if a test claims to measure intelligence, its validity is determined by how well it assesses cognitive abilities relevant to intelligence.

On the other hand, reliability pertains to the consistency of a test’s results over time or across different instances of testing. A reliable test will yield similar results under consistent conditions, indicating that it measures a stable trait.

Choosing the option indicating that validity refers to test accuracy while reliability refers to test consistency accurately captures the essence of both concepts in psychological testing. Validity is crucial because a test cannot be deemed useful if it does not measure what it claims to measure, while reliability is important because it ensures that the test's results can be replicated effectively.