Correct Answer: norm-referenced assessment
the correct answer to the question is "norm-referenced assessment." this type of assessment is designed to rank a learner’s performance specifically in relation to the performance of other candidates or a norm group. it essentially compares one student's achievement against the achievements of others, providing a relative ranking across all participants who take the same test. for example, scoring in the 75th percentile on a norm-referenced assessment means the student performed better than 75% of the other test takers.
on the other hand, a criterion-referenced assessment does not compare students against each other but instead measures each student's performance against a fixed set of standards or criteria. success or failure is determined by whether or not the learner meets the predetermined standards, not by how well other test takers perform. for instance, passing a criterion-referenced test might require answering 70% of questions correctly, regardless of how others perform.
formative assessment is another type of assessment, focusing on providing continuous feedback to both instructors and students about the learning process. its primary purpose is to facilitate improvement and learning through regular feedback rather than to rank or grade students. these assessments are typically informal and can include anything from classroom discussions to quizzes, providing insights that help adjust teaching methods and learning techniques during the instructional process.
alternative assessments, also known as authentic assessments, differ from traditional paper-and-pencil tests by allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and competencies through a variety of formats and contexts. examples include portfolios, presentations, or projects. these assessments are often more practical in nature and designed to assess students' abilities in more realistic or applied settings.
in summary, when the goal is to understand a student's position or rank relative to a peer group, the norm-referenced assessment is the appropriate choice. this is distinct from criterion-referenced assessments, which gauge a student's performance against a standard; formative assessments, which aim to improve ongoing learning processes; and alternative assessments, which seek to evaluate through non-traditional formats. each type serves different educational purposes and contexts.
|