Difference between Objective Test and Subjective Test
When it comes to testing, there are two major categories of tests: objective and subjective. While both have their place, it’s important to understand the differences between them to determine which is best suited for your needs.
The main difference is that objective tests have a right or wrong answer whereas subjective tests rely on personal opinions and judgments.
Before we move to the differences, let’s understand what are Objective Test and Subjective Test:
- Objective Test: Objective tests are those that have a specific and definitive answer, which can be easily quantified and graded.
- Subjective Test: Subjective tests do not have a clear-cut answer and require subjective judgments.
Now, let’s move to Objective Test vs Subjective Test:
Major differences between Objective Test and Subjective Test
| Objective Test | Subjective Test |
|---|---|
| Objective tests are based on facts and figures. | Subjective tests are based on opinions and interpretations. |
| Objective tests are easier to grade since they have a clear-cut answer. | Subjective tests require more time and effort to grade. |
| Objective tests are more common in fields such as math and science. | Subjective tests are more common in humanities and social sciences. |
| Objective tests can be used to test lower-level thinking skills such as recall and recognition. | Subjective tests can be used to test higher-level thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis. |
| Objective tests are more standardized and uniform across different test-takers and situations. | Subjective tests may vary depending on the individual grading them. |
That’s it.
Note that sometimes, the question might also be asked as “distinguish between Objective Test and Subjective Test”.
Also see:
- Difference between Research Questions and Research Objectives
- Difference between Purpose and Objective
- Difference between Aim and Objective
Final words
Objective and subjective tests are two distinct categories of testing that serve different purposes. While objective tests are more reliable and easier to grade, subjective tests are better suited for testing higher-level thinking skills and assessing personal opinions and interpretations.
When choosing a testing method, it’s important to consider your goals and objectives, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
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