Which type of testing measures pass or fail outcomes?

The type of testing that measures pass or fail outcomes is criterion-referenced testing. This method assesses whether a test-taker has met predetermined criteria or standards of knowledge, skills, or abilities. In criterion-referenced tests, the focus is on the individual’s performance related to a specific set of criteria rather than comparing their performance to that of others. This is particularly useful in educational settings or professional certifications where knowing if a candidate has achieved a specific competency is essential.

For instance, in a criterion-referenced test for a professional certification, candidates must answer a certain number of questions correctly to pass. This clear distinction between passing and failing provides a straightforward measure of competency.

In contrast, norm-referenced testing is designed to compare and rank test-takers against one another, which does not lend itself to a simple pass/fail outcome. Power tests assess the level of performance under difficult conditions and typically do not focus solely on whether a minimum standard is achieved. An omnibus test covers a wide range of content areas and does not inherently focus on pass/fail distinctions. The clarity of outcome in criterion-referenced testing makes it the correct choice for measuring pass or fail results effectively.