A comparison of diagnostic and certifying examinations.

Testing and measurement represent a critical component of an educational system since they provide the essential information for making fundamental educational decisions. The type of information required in a particular situation determines how one should conceive, develop, and evaluate the measurement device. This paper compares certifying exams used to determine a person's overall level of competence, and diagnostic exams used to determine a profile of a person's strengths and weaknesses in a particular area. These two types of exams are discussed in terms of their associated educational problem, types of decisions required, optimal test development procedures, and appropriate forms of reliability and validity.