Criterion-related validity refers to which relationship?

• A. The degree to which test results for one test align with another test measuring the same construct.
• B. The degree to which test items represent the domain.
• C. The spread of scores around the mean.
• D. The reliability of test scores across time.

Answer: (A)

Criterion-related validity is about how well test scores relate to an external standard that represents the outcome we care about. In practice, this means checking whether the test results align with another measure that assesses the same construct or can predict a relevant criterion. A meaningful correlation with that external measure supports this type of validity, encompassing both concurrent and predictive validity. The idea is not about whether items cover a domain (that’s content validity), nor about how scores vary (dispersion), nor about whether the test is stable over time (reliability). So aligning with another test measuring the same construct provides evidence of criterion-related validity.