Which concept is defined as the extent to which a score on a scale or test predicts future behavior?

Which concept is defined as the extent to which a score on a scale or test predicts future behavior?

• A. reliability
• B. construct validity
• C. criterion validity
• D. predictive validity

Answer: (D)

Predictive validity is the extent to which a test score forecasts future behavior or outcomes. Since this question asks about how well a score predicts what someone will do later, predictive validity is the precise concept. It’s a form of criterion-related validity that links current test results to a future criterion, such as job performance or academic achievement. Reliability, in contrast, is about consistency of scores across time or items, not about predicting future outcomes, and construct validity concerns whether the test actually measures the intended attribute. While criterion validity covers both predicting future outcomes (predictive) and relating to criteria measured now (concurrent), the emphasis on future behavior makes predictive validity the best fit.

Predictive validity is the extent to which a test score forecasts future behavior or outcomes. Since this question asks about how well a score predicts what someone will do later, predictive validity is the precise concept. It’s a form of criterion-related validity that links current test results to a future criterion, such as job performance or academic achievement. Reliability, in contrast, is about consistency of scores across time or items, not about predicting future outcomes, and construct validity concerns whether the test actually measures the intended attribute. While criterion validity covers both predicting future outcomes (predictive) and relating to criteria measured now (concurrent), the emphasis on future behavior makes predictive validity the best fit.