What is the term for the resulting score when a subject completes a test, comprised of both a signal and noise or error?

The term for the resulting score when a subject completes a test, which includes elements of both a true representation of their abilities and various sources of error or random fluctuations, is known as the observed score. This score reflects the actual performance seen on the test and is influenced by factors such as test conditions, the individual's state on the day of testing, and the test's inherent measurement error.

In contrast, the true score represents the hypothetical perfect measurement of a subject's ability without any error. A raw score typically refers to the unadjusted total of correct answers or points earned without consideration of the scaling or adjustments made later, often seen in contexts like raw testing results. Adjusted scores may incorporate statistical methods to account for bias or error but do not capture the straightforward combination of observed performance and error in the same manner.

Thus, the observed score effectively encapsulates the entirety of the testing situation faced by a subject, balancing their actual performance against the inevitable noise that comes into play during assessment.