Research into the content validity of central examinations in secondary education.
As a result of the Jadnanansing motion (House of Representatives, session year 2013-2014, 33 905, no. 7), an investigation into the validity of the central examinations in secondary education was announced at the beginning of 2017. Based on its responsibility and duty of care, the Board for Tests and Examinations (CvTE) has asked the Research Centre for Examination and Certification (RCEC) to express an opinion on the way in which the quality with regard to validity is guaranteed in these examinations.
In order to be able to give this opinion, RCEC investigated the content validity of a number of central examinations in secondary education and the way in which imperfections were addressed in these central examinations. RCEC focused on the central exams: biology (vmbo mixed and theoretical learning path) 2016 and German (havo) 2016. The procedure for ensuring the content validity of these two central examinations is the standard procedure for all central examinations in secondary education. In the investigation RCEC found that the procedure for realising the content validity meets the requirements according to national and international guidelines. In addition, RCEC concluded that, in both examinations, any imperfections present have been correctly addressed.
At the request of the CvTE, RCEC carried out another investigation into the validity of two central exams in 2018. This concerned the central exam for English (vwo) 2017 and the central exam for Mathematics (vmbo-gl and -tl) 2017. RCEC again concluded that the procedure for realising content validity meets the requirements set according to national and international guidelines.
The Dutch research reports can be found here: