The best test may give unreliable and invalid results if it is not well administered. This chapter is intended simply to provide readers with an ordered set of points to bear in mind when administering a test. While most of these points will be very obvious, it is surprising how often some of them can be forgotten without a list of this kind to refer to. Tedious as many of the suggested procedures are, they are important for successful testing. Once established, they become part of a routine that all concerned take for granted.

Preparation

The key to successful test administration is careful advance preparation. In particular, attention should be given to the following:

Materials and equipment

1. Organise the printing of test booklets and answer sheets in plenty of time. Check that there are no errors or any faulty reproduction.

2. If previously used test booklets are to be employed, check that there are no marks (for example underlining) left by candidates.

3. Number all the test materials consecutively; this permits greater security before, during, and after test administration.

4. Check that there are sufficient keys for scorers, and that these are free of error.

5. Check that all equipment (tape-recorders, loud speaker system, etc.) is in good working order in plenty of time for repair or replacement.

Examiners

1. Detailed instructions should be prepared for all examiners. In these, an attempt should be made to cover all eventualities, though the unexpected will always occur.