Which type of validity assesses whether a test appears to evaluate what it claims to measure upon a quick review?

Face validity refers to the extent to which a test seems, on the surface, to measure what it claims to measure. It involves a subjective assessment of the test's relevance and appropriateness based on its appearance to those taking the test or to others evaluating it. For instance, if a math test includes primarily mathematical concepts and problems, it is perceived to have high face validity because it appears to measure mathematical abilities directly.

This type of validity is particularly important for ensuring that test-takers feel that the assessment is relevant and fair, although face validity does not involve statistical analysis or rigorous testing of the underlying constructs. It's a first impression measure that can influence people's perceptions of the test's adequacy.

In contrast, criterion validity involves assessing how well one measure predicts an outcome based on another measure, construct validity assesses whether a test truly measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure, and content validity ensures that the test covers the entire scope of the subject it is meant to cover. Each of these types serves a distinct purpose in evaluating the effectiveness and reliability of a test.