Development of a Science Skill-Based Questions Achievement Test on Sound and Its Properties

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a skills-based achievement test for the learning outcomes of the subject of "Sound and Its Properties" in the newly implemented science curriculum. Design: This research used a survey design as a skill-based test development study. The skill-based achievement test developed per the purpose of the study was applied to 375 6th-grade students, and the results were analyzed using the TestAn package program. Findings: An achievement test consisting of 27 multiple-choice descriptive questions was developed within the scope of this study by examining PISA (Program for International Student Assessment), TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), various achievement tests, resources, and previous studies in order to develop a test consisting of skill-based questions for the new science curriculum. It was determined that 23 of the 28 items in total had an item discrimination index of 0.40 and above; 4 items were between 0.30-0.39. One item, Question 27, was between 0.20-0.29 and removed from the test. The item analysis showed difficulty index values ranging from 0.28 to 0.72. The reliability coefficient of the skill-based achievement test was 0.80. Highlights: This achievement test is particularly valuable for science teachers preparing students for the LGS (Turkish High School Entrance Exam), as it enables assessing their students' current proficiency levels.