What is a key characteristic of a reliable test?

A key characteristic of a reliable test is that it produces consistent results. Reliability refers to the consistency of a test's results over time and across different situations or populations. When a test is reliable, it means that if the same test were administered multiple times under similar conditions, it would yield similar scores, reflecting the true ability or characteristic being measured rather than random fluctuations or errors.

When a test consistently produces the same results, it reinforces the validity of the conclusions drawn from that test. This consistency is critical for educators, researchers, or anyone using assessments to make decisions based on test scores, as it ensures that the measurements are stable and can be depended upon.

In contrast, variability in scores, subjective interpretations, or narrow scopes of material do not contribute to reliability. High variability (as suggested in the first option) indicates inconsistency, subjective tests may not yield reliable results due to personal interpretations, and narrow scopes can limit the breadth of what is being measured, further impacting the overall reliability and utility of the test.