Institutional Assessment Tool - Performance Test

In my past blog I have tackled the  actual development of the Institutional Assessment Tool (IAT) - Table of Specifications (ToS). 

For this topic, I will be walking you through to the development of another IAT that a Trainers Methodology Level 1 (TM-1) Trainee needs to develop, this is the Performance Test.

Performance Test  can be defined as the formal determination of the actual skills learned by the Trainee, normally validated by interview questions to test the knowledge and corresponding Attitude. With this testing method, it allows the Trainer to determine corresponding outcomes using prescribed performance criteria and earned competencies.

The Plan Training Session - Competency Based Learning Material (PTS-CBLM) describes the major parts of the Performance Test Document, these are:

• General Instructions;
• Specific Instructions; and
• List of Materials, tools and equipment.

What you will need for this tutorial:

1.  The Plan Training Session-Competency Based Learning Materials (PTS-CBLM), which will serve as our primary reference;
2. A copy of your Session Plan; and
3. A copy of the IAT template that you can download here.

The PTS-CBLM on page 217 has listed pointers that you can follow in the development of your Performance Test, these are:

1. The test coverage must be consistent with the job description and skills requirements.
2. The test must not take more than 8 hours to complete.
3. The test statement must specify the exact time within which the Trainee is expected to finish the task and the tools/equipment that will be needed to perform the test.
4. The work performance/specimen or whatever is being tested must be observable and measurable.
5. The test should be feasible. Do not design tests which makes use of rare or too expensive equipment.
6. Where applicable there must be a working drawing which is clear and accurate.
7. The standard performance outcome if possible, should be stated such as surface finish, clearance or tolerance and number of allowable errors.
8. Directions must be clear, simple, concise and accurate.

With this in mind, let us proceed to the actual development of the performance test.

Figure 1. First Page of the Performance Test

The template that I had made was designed to guide the Trainee of the details that the Trainee needs to include in the Performance test.

Let us look however on how the PTS-CBLM on page 216-217, describes the three main parts of the Performance Test Document.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS - "This refers to the overall conduct of the test (before, during and after) which concerns both the testing officer and the examinee. This part of the competency assessment specifies the does and don’ts inside the testing area.

The format of general instructions include:

• Performance or what must be done
• The conditions or what is given
• The standard of performance expected of the examinee 

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS - " This provides the instructions which the examinee must follow in the performance of the test."

LIST OF MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT - "This provides the listing of the materials, equipment/tools needed in the performance of the skills test. This contains also the complete specifications of each item in the listing."

The provided example in figure one do not show the list of Materials, since it is in the second page of the performance test.

The development of the performance test is very much similar to the development of your respective task / job sheets.  Do note however, that when it comes to the Performance test of Institutional Assessments, the test must cover all the performance criteria that you have previously defined in your Evidence Guide / Plan.

For our next tutorial, I will be covering the development of your questioning tool. should you have further questions, feel free to comment bellow. Cheers!

Related post:

1. Institutional Assessment Tool - Evidence Plan 
2. Institutional Assessment Tool - Table of Specifications
3. Institutional Assessment Tool - Questioning tools