What is considered the lowest level of validity?

Face validity is regarded as the lowest level of validity because it is based on subjective judgment rather than empirical evidence. It refers to the extent to which a test appears, at face value, to measure what it is supposed to measure. For example, if a test for job skills looks relevant to the job tasks it assesses, it may be considered to have face validity. However, this perception does not guarantee that the test is actually effective in measuring the intended constructs or that it correlates with job performance rates.

The other forms of validity represent more rigorous evaluations. Predictive validity evaluates how well a test predicts future performance based on current measurements. Technical-content validity involves a deeper analysis, ensuring that the content of the test aligns with the knowledge and skills it aims to measure. Job-content/criterion referenced validity ensures that the test measures specific job-related criteria effectively. Each of these forms of validity incorporates a level of evidence and systematic evaluation that face validity does not, making face validity the most basic and least reliable form of validity assessment.