Construction and Validation of Symbolic Retention Ability Test in Physics Among Higher Secondary Students

Abstract Education plays a vital role in shaping the intellectual and cognitive abilities of learners, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for personal and societal development. At the higher secondary level, education becomes more specialized, especially in subjects like physics which demand not only conceptual understanding but also the ability to recall and apply abstract symbols and formulae. Symbolic retention ability in physics refers to a student's capacity to remember and use scientific notations, formulas and symbolic representations accurately in problem solving context. This ability is essential for mastering the subject, as symbols form the core language of physics and are crucial for understanding theoretical and practical concepts. This skill is essential for mastering physics and applying its principle to real world problems. This paper aims to construct and validate an assessment tool designed to measure Symbolic Retention Ability in Physics among higher secondary students. The development process includes item creation, expert validation and pilot testing to ensure the tools accuracy and applicability in educational settings. For this a collection of 50 physics statements related to symbols from XI standard physics text book covering the areas of Mechanics and Thermodynamics, especially the topics Units and Measurements, Motion in a straight line, Motion in a plane, Laws of Motion, Work Energy Power, System of particles and Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Mechanical properties of Solids, Mechanical properties of Fluids and Thermal properties of Matter. The 50 statements were administered to a sample of 100 higher secondary students in Wayanad District, Kerala, as part of pilot study. Based on the index of difficulty and index of discrimination, 36 statements were selected. The test’s Reliability and Validity have been established. Accordingly, a comprehensive Symbolic Retention Ability Test has been developed and validated, serving as an effective tool for assessing Symbolic Retention Ability in Physics among higher secondary students