Alternate Form Reliability

Alternate form reliability occurs when an individual participating in a research or testing scenario is given two different versions of the same test at different times. The scores are then compared to see if it is a reliable form of testing. An individual is given one form of the test and after a period of time (usually a week or so) the person is given a different version of the same test. If the scores differ dramatically then something is wrong with the test and it is not measuring what it is supposed to. If this is the case the test needs to be analyzed more to determine what is wrong with the different forms.