What is the term for the extent to which a test samples behavior that is of interest?

The term that describes the extent to which a test samples behavior that is of interest is known as content validity. This concept is crucial in psychology and other fields that rely on assessments, as it ensures that a test accurately reflects the specific domain it is intended to measure.

For example, if a test is designed to evaluate mathematical skills, it must include questions that specifically assess those skills rather than unrelated areas. Content validity examines whether the test covers the full range of the concept and whether the items are representative of the construct being measured.

In contrast, other types of validity such as construct validity focus on how well a test measures a theoretical construct, while predictive validity relates to how well a test can predict future performance. Reliability, on the other hand, refers to the consistency of a test's results over time, which is separate from how well the test samples specific behaviors. Therefore, content validity is the most appropriate term for the sampling of relevant behaviors in a test.