A quick revision summary of Class 11 Physical Education Unit 6: Test, Measurement and Evaluation. Read the full notes for the figures, the worked examples and the detailed explanations.
1 Key Terms
Core definitions
TestInstrument or tool to make a particular measurement (written, oral, mechanical, physiological, psychological); the narrowest term
MeasurementAct of assessing; assigns a number; quantitative; requisite for evaluation
EvaluationStatement of quality, merit or worth of what was assessed; implies decision making
Norm referencedScore compared with the group (rank, percentile)
Criterion referencedScore compared with a fixed level (BMI 18.5-24.9 normal)
Formative / summativeDuring the programme for feedback / at the end for the final judgement
Example: sit-ups for 1 minute (test) → 30 sit-ups (measurement) → Good (evaluation). Same score can get a different evaluation under different norms or criteria.
2 Definitions by Experts
| Author | Defined |
|---|---|
| Webster’s Dictionary | Test: tool to evaluate skill, knowledge, capacities or aptitudes |
| H M Barrow and Megee | Test: instrument, procedure or technique to elicit a response; evaluation: comparison with preconceived criteria |
| Barry L Johnson and Jack Nelson | Test: questioning or measuring of knowledge, capacity or ability; measurement aids evaluation |
| H M Barrow | Measurement: administering a test to obtain quantitative data |
| United Nations Evaluation Group | Evaluation: systematic and impartial assessment of an activity, project, programme |
3 Importance in Sports
| Athlete | Coach / PE teacher | Training programme |
|---|---|---|
| Motivation for continuity Self appraisal Goal setting |
Diagnosis Grouping (placement) Prediction Self assessment of teaching |
Benchmarking Norms and standards Re-designing Quality check and control |
4 Classification of Tests
| Test | Measures | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Psychomotor | Motor responses to instructions | Health related fitness, physical fitness (MVP), motor fitness, sports skill tests |
| Anthropometric | Body surface measurements | Weight, height, WHR, BMI; 7 diameters; 5 circumferences |
| Physical | Body size, no effort from subject | Height, weight, skinfolds, blood test, X-rays |
| Affective domain | Feelings, behaviour, emotions | Personality, social behaviour, stress tests |
| Cognitive domain | Mental performance | Attention span, concentration, intelligence, creativity |
Diameters: bi-acromial (shoulder), bicristal (abdominal), bitrochanteric (hip), humerus bicondylar (elbow), wrist, femur bicondylar (knee), ankle. Circumferences: chest, upper-arm, fore-arm, thigh, calf.
5 Test Administration
- Pre-planning: planning document, stations and score sheets, purpose and scientific authenticity, group size, age and sex, economy.
- Testing operation: equipment checked, instructions and demonstration, warm-up, motivation, safety, checklist.
- Post-test: score sheets safe, raw to standard scores, interpret with norms and statistics, tables and graphs, report.
6 Body Composition Measures
- Overweight: weight above average for height (may be muscle). Overfat: fat above age and gender average. Obesity: overfat plus the obese syndrome (glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer).
- BMI = kg ÷ m². Book example: 97.1 ÷ (1.753)² = 31.6.
| BMI | Class |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0-29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0-34.9 | Class I obesity |
| 35.0-39.9 | Class II obesity |
| 40.0 and above | Class III obesity |
- WHR = waist girth ÷ hip girth (same unit, tape measure). WHO healthy: men 0.9 or less, women 0.85 or less; 1.0 or more raises heart disease risk. Apple shape = waist fat (riskier); pear shape = hip fat.
- Height-weight table: 183 cm man, ideal 72.6-88.9 kg; at 95 kg he is overweight.
- Skinfold: double layer of skin + subcutaneous fat; lift with thumb, forefinger and middle finger of the left hand; jaws ½ cm below; 10 g/mm²; read after about 2 s; Harpenden, Lange, Lafayette callipers.
- 3 sites: men chest, abdomen, thigh; women triceps, suprailiac, thigh. Sum of three → body fat % by standard equations.
7 Somatotypes (Sheldon)
| Type | Build | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Endomorph | Round, soft, high fat, wide hips, short limbs | Shot put, heavyweight lifting, sumo |
| Mesomorph | Muscular, V-shape, broad shoulders, narrow waist, low fat | Sprinting, gymnastics, boxing, wrestling |
| Ectomorph | Thin, lean, long limbs, narrow shoulders and hips | Distance running, high jump, basketball |
Rating on 1-7 for each component in the order endo-meso-ecto: 7-1-1, 1-7-1, 1-1-7 are the extremes.
8 Health-Related Fitness Measurement
Body composition: BMI, WHR, skinfolds · Cardiovascular endurance: 600 m run/walk · Muscular strength and endurance: partial curl-up, push-ups · Flexibility: sit and reach. Health status also through heart rate and lung capacity.
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