What is meant by 'accuracy' in educational assessment?

In educational assessment, 'accuracy' refers to the concept of freedom from mistakes or errors. This means that an assessment should reliably measure what it is intended to measure, producing results that truly reflect a student's understanding, skills, and knowledge without distortion. When an assessment is accurate, it provides a valid representation of a student's capabilities and learning progress, enabling educators to make informed decisions regarding instruction and interventions.

In contrast, special abilities assessment focuses on evaluating specific talents or skills rather than overall accuracy. The ability to engage students relates to teaching practices and instructional strategies, which, while important, do not directly pertain to the concept of accuracy in assessments. Lastly, the assessment of cognitive skills encompasses evaluating the mental processes involved in learning but does not specifically define the accuracy of assessments as it relates to error-free measurement.