ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Test-retest reliability

Test-retest reliability is a way to check if a test is consistent and reliable. It's like when you play a game and you want to make sure that the rules are always the same every time you play it.

Imagine your teacher gives you a math test. They want to make sure that the test is fair and that you get the same score every time you take it. So, your teacher would ask you to take the test twice, with some time in between.

If you get the same score both times, it means that the test is reliable. It's like practicing the same spelling word multiple times to make sure you spell it the same way every time. If you spell it differently every time you practice, it's not a reliable way to learn the word.

Test-retest reliability is important because it helps people trust the results of tests. If a test is reliable, it means that you can use it to make important decisions, like hiring someone for a job or deciding if someone needs special help in school.