What is assessment and it's types

Assessment

The process that is used to evaluate the performance of students at the beginning of course, monitor the learning progress during the course, diagnose learning problems and difficulties during the course and to evaluate the achievements of students at the end of course is called assessment.

Types of assessment

• Placement assessment

• Formative assessment

• Diagnostic assessment

• Summative assessment

What is assessment and it's types

Placement assessment

The assessment that is used to evaluate the performance of students at the starting of programme or course is known as placement assessment.

The main purpose of placement assessment is to know about the students knowledge and skills that are required for the entry of students in the desired course or programme.

Placement assessment focuses on the following questions;

(1) Does the students have knowledge and skills that are required to start the course or programme? For example, does the beginning students of algebra have required command of computational skills? Or does the beginning student of computer science have the necessary computer knowledge?

(2) To what extent has the student already mastered the objectives of the planned course or programme? If student has sufficient mastery then teacher can skip certain units or teacher can placed the student in a more advanced course.

(3) Does the students have interest in the study, work habits and personal characteristics? It means that if the student has interest in study , work habits and personal characteristics then individual study is better step for the student otherwise group study will be better.

Formative assessment

The assessment that is used to monitor the learning progress of students during the course or programme and to give feedback to both teacher and student that belong to learning successes and failures by taking tests and using observation techniques.

The main purpose of formative assessment is to determine the progress of students during the course or programme and to provide feedback about the progress of students so that they can identifies learning errors that need correction. With the help of assessment teacher know about the progress of students and decide that they should do group study or individual study. Formative assessment is performed to monitor the course or programme process and to determine learning progress whether it is taking place as planned. Formative assessment takes place by the teacher during the course or program to know that students are obtaining course or programme objectives, the programme is on time and there are ways to improve the programme o or course. Formative assessment also helps the students to learn knowledge about the programme more effectively.

Formative assessment takes place over a period of time and monitor the learning progress of students. Teacher asses the students by taking tests of students. Formative assessment is used to monitor the learning progress of students at different intervals during the course or programme. Formative assessment is not used to assign a grade or promotion or certificate. Formative assessment of students is made by internal staff in which teachers are included.

Tools of farmative assessment

• Tests made by teacher

• Techniques for observation

Diagnostic assessment

The assessment that is used to resolve the learning difficulties during the course or programme that are left unresolved during the formative assessment process is known as diagnostic assessment.

The main purpose of diagnostic assessment is to determine the learning problems and difficulties faced by the students and to resolve these problems and difficulties. Diagnostic assessment is used as detailed research to resolve the learning problems and issues during the course or programme that are not responded by the formative assessment process. Diagnostic assessment is used to determine the causes of learning difficulties. Diagnostic assessment is used to formulate a plan for remedial action. Diagnostic assessment is detailed and comprehensive research. Psychological, medical and subject experts are required for diagnostic assessment. Diagnostic assessment play an important role in vocational, individual and social guidance.

Tools of diagnostic assessment

• Diagnostic Tests required to diagnose the learning problems

• Observation techniques to resolve the learning issues

Summative assessment

The assessment that is used at the end of programme or course to determine the extent to which the course or programme objectives have been achieved by the students and is used to assign a grade or certificate to the student.

The main purpose of summative assessment is to determine the learning progress of students whether they are able to move in next class or programme or course. Summative assessment is also used to provide evidence that the current programme or course is satisfactory and is able to continue for the next year’s learners or provide evidence that the learning attitudes of students are so negative and there is requirement of a new programme.

Summative assessment is also concerned with grading, promotion and certification process. Summative assessment is used to determine the overall success or failure of student. Summative assessment is more vast and comprehensive. Summative assessment is also play an important role to identifies the academic potential. Summative assessment is also used to make future decisions and predictions. Summative assessment is also used to compare the performance of different groups of students.

Tools of summative assessment

• Achievement tests made by the teacher

• Rating on performance of students like oral and laboratory report

• Products assessment like research and drawing reports