---
title: What is an acceptable level of reliability for a psychometric test?
description: "Most psychological societies (e.g., British Psychological Society) and academics (e.g., Devellis, 1991) suggest that an acceptable level of reliability for psychometric tests is: **Ability/Aptitude Tests: .80** **Personality Tests: .70**   **Acceptable and unacceptable levels of the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient** below .60: unacceptable…"
url: "https://psyasia.com/kb/what-is-an-acceptable-level-of-reliability-for-a-psychometric-test/"
updated: "2021-04-06"
category: Psychometrics Knowledge
tags:
  - Psychometric Tests
  - Reliability
---

# What is an acceptable level of reliability for a psychometric test?

Most psychological societies (e.g., British Psychological Society) and academics (e.g., Devellis, 1991) suggest that an acceptable level of reliability for psychometric tests is:

**Ability/Aptitude Tests: .80**

**Personality Tests: .70**

 

**Acceptable and unacceptable levels of the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient**

below .60: unacceptable

between .60 and .65: undesirable

between .65 and .70: minimally acceptable

between .70 and .80: respectable

between .80 and .90: very good

much above .90: consider shortening the scale

 

Reference
 DeVellis, R.F. (1991). Scale development. Newbury Park, NJ: Sage Publications.
 Page 85