Abstract
To date, no studies on Tajweed have used diagnostic tests. This study proposes a diagnostic instrument known as a three-tier test to investigate misconceptions about Tajweed. This research aims twofold: (1) to develop and validate a diagnostic test on the Tajweed concept and (2) to identify the misconceptions of Indonesian students through this test. The study, however, sheds new light on the subject because it involves an analytical approach that capitalises on students' self-confidence. This test is based on knowledge related to Tajweed, included in the Indonesian tertiary curriculum and Islamic religious knowledge. Results of document analysis and interviews were used to construct proportional knowledge that later transformed into open questions to identify Tajweed concepts frequently misunderstood. The developed Tajweed Diagnostic Test (TDT) was distributed to 307 undergraduate students. The validity of TDT was assessed through qualitative and quantitative techniques. The test attains a high Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient and point-biserial correlation. Thus, this test produces a valid score and precisely measures students' comprehension of Tajweed. The examination reveals that most students experience Tajweed misconception on al-madd al-waajib al-muttashil, al-madd al-‘aarid lis sukoon, makhaarij al-huruuf, and al-iqlaab.