An ELT Glossary : Achievement test

• Definition : A test given at the end of a course to test whether the learners have assimilated what has been taught, have passed the course, and therefore (potentially) are ready to go on to the next level. 

• Example : many coursebooks include an "end of course" test, which can be used for this purpose

• In order to have content validity the test should only include items which have actually been taught on the course, and provide representative coverage of those items. 

• An achievement test will  have a summative purpose - ie will be designed to see whether the student has passed or failed the course.

• Other types of test include placement tests, diagnostic tests, progress tests and proficiency tests. Each has a different purpose and therefore different characteristics.