What does predictive empirical validity assess?

Predictive empirical validity assesses how a test relates to possible outcomes, which means it determines the extent to which test scores can forecast future performance or behaviors. In other words, it evaluates how well a test can predict results in real-world scenarios based on the initial test performance. For instance, a standardized test that predicts a student's success in future academic settings demonstrates strong predictive empirical validity if those who score well on the test tend to perform well in their subsequent educational endeavors. This focus on the predictive relationship makes it an essential aspect of psychometrics, as it helps ensure that assessments are not only accurate but also applicable to practical situations.

The alternative options each concern different aspects of validity or fairness. While measuring what a test claims to measure is more aligned with construct validity, consistency across different versions of a test pertains to reliability rather than predictive validity. Fairness across genders relates to ensuring that tests do not favor one group over another, which is an important consideration in test design but does not directly align with the concept of predictive empirical validity.