validity, concurrent

n. Concurrent validity is the extent to which a measure or test score is correlated with another criterion measure that is occurring within the same time interval. Concurrent validity is most relevant when using one measure as a substitute for another. For example, students who successfully pass a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test receive college credit in exchange for their test score. As such, high concurrent validity between the CLEP test scores and grades in the relevant class provides evidence that the CLEP test is a valid substitute for taking the class. Because concurrent validity relies on the correlation between a measure and an external criterion, the terms concurrent validity and criterion validity are often used interchangeably. – BJM