Which term refers to the consistency and stability of test scores over time?

The term that refers to the consistency and stability of test scores over time is reliability. Reliability indicates how consistently a test measures what it is supposed to measure across different instances or conditions. For example, if a student takes the same test multiple times under similar conditions, a reliable test will yield similar scores each time, demonstrating stability in the measurement.

In the context of educational assessments, this concept is critical as it ensures that the results reflect true student abilities rather than fluctuations caused by external factors, such as test administration conditions or variations in the test itself. A reliable test allows educators to trust that the scores represent a stable measure of student performance over time.

Other options like validity concern whether a test measures what it is intended to measure, and raw score refers to the total points earned on a test. Percentile indicates a student's rank relative to peers, rather than consistency over time. Therefore, reliability is the most appropriate term for describing score consistency.