It is next important to distinguish between accuracy and precision in making measurements. Contrary to common usage, these words are not interchangeable. Nor are they mutually exclusive. Accuracy is the term used, in scientific context, regarding the agreement of a particular measurement with the correct value. An accurate value is a true value.
Precision is the term used in science to describe the reproducibility of a measurement.
The more precise a measurement, the closer each value is on repeated reading. Measurements are much more likely to be completely precise than completely accurate. Given the limitations of most measuring devices, particularly those we use in introductory chemistry, measurements are typically only certain to a few significant figures. Within the limitations of these devices, repeated measurement will very often be reproducible. On the other hand, for these same reasons no measuremnt is totally accurate.