APA Dictionary of Psychology

partiality of a test in favor of individuals from certain backgrounds at the expense of individuals from other backgrounds. The partiality may be in the content of the items, in the format of the items, or in the very act of taking a test itself. For example, suppose a verbal comprehension exam was delivered on a computer and incorporated passages, pictures, and questions drawn from American literature. The exam is likely to favor individuals who grew up in American families with access to computers and a variety of books at home. In contrast, low income individuals who emigrated to America and were without computer access or many books in the home might find that the exam had some degree of cultural test bias. See also culturally loaded item; test bias.