The fifth and final source of validity evidence is evidence based on consequences of testing. This source of validity evidence is the most controversial source mentioned in the AERA, APA, and NCME standards.
Tests are commonly administered in the expectation that some benefit will be realized from the intended use of the scores. This is referred to as consequential validity. The consequences of tests and test scores are clearly important and can be both positive and negative. To give you an example, suppose that scientists developed a new test for detecting a type of cancer. And this test was very accurate. Suppose that the test began to be used widely, and it was noticed that many people who had a positive test result were committing suicide. It is obvious that there is an unintended negative consequence. But the consequence has absolutely no bearing on the accuracy of the test. The test is still accurate in detecting the cancer. It is incumbent on the test developer to check for consequences. But it should be clear that consequences are not a part of the inference at all, and therefore, consequences have no part in validity.