Test administration refers to the process of administering a test or exam, which involves various activities, including setting up the testing environment, providing clear instructions to the test-taker, and ensuring that the test is administered consistently and fairly. Test administration guidelines are a set of policies and procedures that outline how standardized assessments should be distributed and administered, and they exist to increase consistency, ensure test security, and safeguard the fair and reliable results of exam scores. Test administration guidelines ensure that the test-taking experience remains congruent for all examinees, despite the fact that test takers will be taking tests at different sites, on different dates, with different proctors, and under different conditions.
The administrators primary job is to ensure standardization of the testing environment, which includes checking the physical setting for appropriateness, insuring that participants know what they are supposed to do, monitoring the test administration, and following any standardized instructions carefully. Psychological test administration is a critical element in the testing process since it significantly impacts the validity and reliability of the test results.
Test administration procedures are developed for an exam program to help reduce measurement error and to increase the likelihood of fair and reliable test scores. Administration procedures that protect the security of the test help to maintain the meaning and integrity of the score scale for all examinees. Test security consists of methods designed to prevent cheating, as well as to protect the test items and content from being exposed to future test-takers.
A test administrator is responsible for observing and monitoring the students during examinations and related assessments. They discuss the procedures and rules before the test, respond to any inquiries and concerns the examinees may have, provide the tools and materials needed for the assessment, as well as verify the identity of each examinee. A test administrator must be highly observant and organizational, strictly implementing regulations and operating testing equipment, and perform troubleshooting for technical issues.
