3.1 This practice for performance testing provides guidance to performance test sponsors, developers, and delivery providers for the planning, design, development, administration, and reporting of high-quality performance tests. This practice assists stakeholders from both the user and consumer communities in determining the quality of performance tests. This practice includes requirements, processes, and intended outcomes for the entities that are issuing the performance test, developing, delivering and evaluating the test, users and test takers interpreting the test, and the specific quality characteristics of performance tests. This practice provides the foundation for both the recognition and accreditation of a specific entity to issue and use effectively a quality performance test.

3.2 Accreditation agencies are presently evaluating performance tests with criteria that were developed primarily or exclusively for multiple-choice examinations. The criteria by which performance tests shall be evaluated and accredited are ones appropriate to performance testing. As accreditation becomes more critical for acceptance by federal and state governments, insurance companies, and international trade, it becomes more critical that appropriate standards of quality and application be developed for performance testing.

1.1 This practice covers both the professional certification performance test itself and specific aspects of the process that produced it.

1.2 This practice does not include management systems. In this practice, the test itself and its administration, psychometric properties, and scoring are addressed.

1.3 This practice primarily addresses individual professional performance certification examinations, although it may be used to evaluate exams used in training, educational, and aptitude contexts. This practice is not intended to address on-site evaluation of workers by supervisors for competence to perform tasks.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.