The Development of a test of science skills and processes

Abstract

This study reports the development of a test of science skills and processes for use in Forms 2, 3, 4. The test was constructed to meet two of the objectives of the Form 1-5 syllabus. The test characteristics, mean 50.60 per cent, standard deviation 15.43 per cent and standard error of measurement 3.09 were calculated from a sample of 341 pupils in Forms 2, 3 and 4. The test-retest reliability was O. 75 and Kuder-Richardson internal consistency O. 77. Two subtests, one related to skills, the other to processes had means of 48. 31 per cent and 50. 50 per cent respectively. The standard deviations were 17 .48 per cent (skills) and 17. 00 per cent (processes) and standard error of measurement 1. 79 (skills) and 2.10 (processes). It is suggested that the test could be used to assess achievement and diagnose weakness in the attainment of the science skills and processes objectives of the Form 1-5 syllabus. Tables for converting raw scores to T-scores are provided in the Appendices.