English abstract
This study aimed to develop a criterion-referenced test to measure
the basic competencies and skills in physics that should be possessed by
tenth-grade students in basic education. This is because it is the last grade in
the basic education stage. The study also aimed to identify the psychometric
properties and determine the cut score using the Ebel method to classify
students in terms of mastery.
A descriptive-analytical method was used, and the tenth graders of
basic education in Dakhiliyah Governorate for the academic year 2023/2024
represented the population of the current study, which consisted of 8064
students distributed over 83 schools according to the indicators of the
Directorate of Education in Dakhiliyah. The actual study sample consisted
of 848 students.
The researcher also developed a criterion-referenced test to measure
physical skills to achieve the objectives of the study according to sequential
and orderly steps of the specifications of the Popham test, the most important
of which are: defining the behavioural domain, defining the basic
competencies (objectives), building the test items, and refereeing the test
items.
The test, which consisted of 40 items, was applied to a preliminary
sample of tenth graders of basic education in Dakhiliyah Governorate
consisting of 70 students to verify the validity and reliability of the test. After
modifying the test items according to the previous procedures, the test in its
final form consisted of 30 multiple-choice items.
The test was presented to 12 experts with specialization and
experience to verify the descriptive validity of the test. Exploratory factor
analysis and correlation coefficients were used to verify the internal
consistency reliability of the test. The coefficient of stability for internal
consistency was found using three methods: Cronbach's alpha, which
reached (0.82), split-half method with a value of (0.76), and Livingston's
method, which equaled (0.84).
The internal consistency reliability coefficient was found using the
Kuder-Richardson method, which was 0.82, and the split-half method 0.76.
The difficulty and discrimination coefficients were extracted to verify the
suitability and effectiveness of the test items for the target sample. The cut
score reached by this study was 20 with a percentage of 66.6%.
One of the most important recommendations of this study is the
training and qualification of educational personnel on standardized tests in
terms of application to diagnose and assess students and classify them
according to their proficiency in the core competencies and basic skills in
physics specifically, and other subjects in general.
Keywords: Criterion-referenced tests, competencies, psychometric
properties, cut score
