Understanding the Difference Between Aptitude and Achievement Tests

What is the primary difference between aptitude and achievement tests?

A) Aptitude tests are designed to predict performance in general; achievement tests measure what you've already learned.
B) Aptitude tests have high reliability and validity; achievement tests have poor reliability and validity.
C) Aptitude tests usually contain open-ended questions (fill-in-the-blank), while achievement tests are more objective.
D) Aptitude tests are less expensive to administer than achievement tests.

Final answer:

Aptitude tests are designed to predict performance in general, while achievement tests measure what you've already learned.

Explanation:

The primary difference between aptitude and achievement tests is that aptitude tests are designed to predict performance in general, while achievement tests measure what you've already learned. Aptitude tests assess a person's potential to learn and perform well in future tasks or situations, while achievement tests assess a person's knowledge and skills in a specific area based on what they have already learned.

For example, an aptitude test may measure a student's problem-solving or critical thinking abilities, while an achievement test may assess their knowledge of a specific subject such as mathematics or history.