Types of Educational Assessments

Definition

• A test is a standardized evaluation of knowledge, skills, or abilities
• Can be used to assess learning, diagnose weaknesses, or determine readiness for advancement

Types of Tests

• Formative: Evaluates student progress during learning
• Summative: Evaluates student learning at the end of a lesson or course
• Diagnostic: Identifies strengths and weaknesses to inform instruction
• Placement: Determines student readiness for a course or program
• Achievement: Measures student learning at the end of a program or curriculum

Test Formats

• Multiple Choice: Questions with preset answer options
• Short Answer: Open-ended questions requiring brief responses
• Essay: Extended written responses to questions or prompts
• Performance: Evaluates skills or behaviors through tasks or simulations

Test Development

• Validity: Measures whether a test accurately assesses what it claims to measure
• Reliability: Measures consistency of test results across different administrators or forms
• Item Analysis: Evaluates individual test questions for effectiveness and bias

What is a Test?

• A test is a standardized evaluation of knowledge, skills, or abilities, used to assess learning, diagnose weaknesses, or determine readiness for advancement.

Types of Tests

• Formative Tests: Evaluate student progress during learning.
• Summative Tests: Evaluate student learning at the end of a lesson or course.
• Diagnostic Tests: Identify strengths and weaknesses to inform instruction.
• Placement Tests: Determine student readiness for a course or program.
• Achievement Tests: Measure student learning at the end of a program or curriculum.

Test Formats

• Multiple Choice Tests: Feature questions with preset answer options.
• Short Answer Tests: Consist of open-ended questions requiring brief responses.
• Essay Tests: Require extended written responses to questions or prompts.
• Performance Tests: Evaluate skills or behaviors through tasks or simulations.

Test Development

• Validity: Refers to whether a test accurately measures what it claims to measure.
• Reliability: Refers to the consistency of test results across different administrators or forms.
• Item Analysis: Involves evaluating individual test questions for effectiveness and bias.

Learn about the different types of tests used in education, including formative, summative, diagnostic, and placement tests. Understand their purposes and uses in evaluating student learning.