GED Assessment & Evaluation Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of assessment is administered BEFORE instruction to determine students' prior knowledge?
- Summative assessment
- Diagnostic assessment (Correct answer)
- Formative assessment
- Norm-referenced assessment
Correct answer: Diagnostic assessment
Diagnostic assessment is given before instruction to identify what students already know and where gaps exist, allowing teachers to plan instruction accordingly.
Diagnostic assessment (also called pre-assessment) occurs before instruction begins. Its purpose is to identify students' existing knowledge, skills, misconceptions, and learning needs so teachers can tailor their lessons. Examples include KWL charts, pre-tests, and concept mapping. This differs from formative assessment (during instruction) and summative assessment (after instruction).
Question 2: A rubric that describes performance quality at each level using specific, observable criteria is called a:
- Holistic rubric
- Analytic rubric (Correct answer)
- Single-point rubric
- Checklist rubric
Correct answer: Analytic rubric
An analytic rubric breaks down the assessment into specific criteria and describes performance levels for each criterion separately, allowing detailed feedback.
An analytic rubric evaluates each component of a task separately. Each criterion (e.g., organization, content, mechanics) has its own performance level descriptions. This provides detailed diagnostic feedback. In contrast, a holistic rubric assigns a single overall score based on the total impression. Analytic rubrics are more time-consuming but yield richer feedback for students and teachers.
Question 3: Portfolio assessment is primarily valued because it:
- Is faster to grade than traditional tests
- Shows student growth and learning over time (Correct answer)
- Eliminates the need for standardized testing
- Focuses only on final products
Correct answer: Shows student growth and learning over time
Portfolio assessment collects student work samples over a period of time, demonstrating growth, progress, and the development of skills — not just a single snapshot.
Portfolio assessment involves collecting student work samples, reflections, and artifacts over time. The key advantage is that it documents learning progression — teachers and students can see how skills and understanding have developed. Portfolios also encourage metacognition as students reflect on their own growth. They capture both process and product, unlike one-time tests that only measure performance at a single point.
Question 4: Which measurement concept refers to whether a test consistently produces the same results under similar conditions?
- Validity
- Reliability (Correct answer)
- Authenticity
- Bias
Correct answer: Reliability
Reliability refers to the consistency of an assessment — a reliable test produces stable, repeatable results across different administrations with similar groups.
Reliability in assessment means that the measurement instrument yields consistent results. If you administer the same test to the same students under similar conditions and get similar scores, the test is reliable. Types of reliability include test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency. Note: a test can be reliable without being valid, but a valid test must also be reliable.
Question 5: Norm-referenced tests compare a student's performance to:
- A fixed set of learning objectives
- The student's own previous scores
- The performance of a defined group of peers (Correct answer)
- Teacher-established grading criteria
Correct answer: The performance of a defined group of peers
Norm-referenced tests rank students against a normative (comparison) group — the results show where a student stands relative to other students, not against an absolute standard.
Norm-referenced assessments rank students relative to a comparison group (the 'norm group'). Results are often expressed as percentile ranks (e.g., scoring in the 75th percentile means outperforming 75% of the comparison group). Examples include many standardized tests. Criterion-referenced tests, by contrast, measure performance against a fixed standard or set of learning objectives, regardless of how others perform.
Question 6: When a teacher observes students during a group activity and records notes on individual participation, this is an example of:
- Summative assessment
- Self-assessment
- Observational assessment (Correct answer)
- Standardized assessment
Correct answer: Observational assessment
Observational assessment involves teachers directly watching and recording student behavior, skills, or participation during authentic activities — it is a form of informal, ongoing assessment.
Observational assessment is a form of formative assessment where teachers systematically watch students during learning activities and document what they observe. Tools include anecdotal records, checklists, and rating scales. This method captures real-time performance in natural settings and is especially valuable for assessing collaborative skills, processes, and behaviors that cannot be captured on paper tests. It requires clear criteria to maintain objectivity.
GED Assessment & Evaluation Methods 2
Which type of assessment is administered BEFORE instruction to determine students' prior knowledge?