What does reliability indicate in assessment instruments?

• A. The ability of a test to measure various skills
• B. The consistency of results across repeated administrations
• C. The degree of student engagement during a test
• D. The time it takes to administer a test

Answer: (B)

Reliability in assessment instruments refers to the consistency of results across repeated administrations of the same test. When a test is reliable, it means that if the same individuals take the test under similar conditions at different times, the results will be similar or consistent. This characteristic is crucial for ensuring that the assessment accurately reflects a student's knowledge, abilities, or skills rather than being influenced by factors such as variability in testing conditions or random chance. High reliability helps educators and administrators trust that the measurements obtained from the assessments are stable and representative of the students’ true performance.