SPEED TEST

In this test, examinees must answer all the questions of the test within
time limits or in the shortest time possible. Speed test is considered as
time bond test but the items are comparatively mixture of both easy and
difficult. Speed test generally reveals, how rapidly the examinee can
respond within a given time. Similarly, in a speed test, the content of
examinees’ responses is of less importance but the speed with which
examinees answer the test is more important. Most of the achievement
test and competitive examinations belong to this category. For example,
the test like as clerical examination (general aptitude test) and
NET/CTET (teaching aptitude test) based on the speed test.

Advantages of speed test

o Objective of speed test is to attempt all the questions in stipulated

time.
o Speed test is time bond test, where the examinees have to
respond the questions within time limits.
o The items are mixture of both easy and difficult in speed test. In
this way, the examinee saves the time from easy questions and
then utilizes the saved time in attempting the difficult questions.

Disadvantages of speed test

o Objective of speed test is to measure the speed of attempting

questions rather than ability of examinees.
o Speed test increases the chances of committing errors by the
examinees.
o Speed test do not consider the individual differences of the
examinees.

POWER TEST

A power test is one which provides generous time to answer the

questions so that most of the examinees are able to attempt every item.
Simply, sufficient time is given to answer all the items in a test. A power
test is that whereas main emphasis is on assessing the knowledge,
understanding and ability of the examinees rather than speed with
which the examinees answer the items. In this test, items are usually
arranged in increasing order of difficulty. Most of the intelligence tests
belong to the category of power test. In-fact, power test demonstrates
the in-depth knowledge of examinees.

The categorization of speed or power test depends on the nature of the

examinees for which it is meant. An arithmetical test for class VIII
students might emphasize speed if it contained items that were easier
for them but the same test could be a power test for class VII students

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or for less prepared students. Thus, speed test measures the power
when all the items are correctly responded in a given time. Similarly,
power test becomes a speed test when easy items are correctly
responded in lesser time and saved more time for attempting difficult
items. Once a time limit is fixed for power test, it becomes speed test.
Today, a pure speed or power test is rare. The mixture of both speed
and power is common in practice.

Advantages of power test

o Objective of power test is assessing the knowledge and abilities of

examinees.
o In this test, examinees are free to respond the questions without
time restrictions.
o The questions of the power test are systematically arranged in
increasing order of difficulty.
o Power test reduces the chances of committing errors by the
examinees.
o Power test is considered the individual differences of the
examinees in terms of producing answer.

Disadvantages of power test

o Power test ignores the limitation of time which is against the spirit
of examination.
o Power test is time consuming. It considers that time restriction is
hurdle in expressing the ability of the examinees.
o Power test is not suitable for competitive examinations. Where
competitive examinations are conducted on large numbers of
applicants across the state, then, it would be difficult in
administration.
o Power test has less discriminatory power. In the absence of time
restriction, all the examinees perform good in particular test,
then, it would be difficult for evaluator in discriminating between
lower and upper levels performance.

Difference between speed and power test

Speed test
Objective is attempting all the items
by the examinees.
Time duration is fixed.
Items are relatively easy in nature.
It increases the chances of
committing errors.
Power test
Objective is assessing knowledge and
skill of the examinees.
Time duration is not fixed. Examinees
are free to respond.
Items are relatively difficult in nature.
It reduces the chances of committing
errors.

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