Construct validity
The construct of a test is the theory that the test is based on. For language tests therefore,
this is the theory of language ability and for teaching qualifications it is the theory of teaching
knowledge and practice. Construct validation is therefore about investigating whether the
performance of a test is consistent with the predictions made from these theories (Bachman
1990:255). Construct validation activities can include those where experts analyse the
content of tasks, those that involve study of the cognitive processes of candidates and those
involving statistical analysis of underlying factors shared by a series of tasks or items. One
statistical method used is Structural Equation Modelling.