What term describes test scores that do not remain consistent over time?

The term that describes test scores that do not remain consistent over time is "unreliability." When test scores fluctuate significantly, it indicates that the test is not yielding the same results under consistent conditions, which is a core aspect of unreliability.

In the field of testing and measurement, reliability refers to the consistency of a test or measurement; it is the opposite of unreliability. Validity is related to whether the test measures what it is intended to measure, and objectivity pertains to the impartiality and lack of bias in scoring. Therefore, when considering the stability and repeatability of test scores, unreliability is the most accurate term to describe inconsistency over time.