Quiz on Testing, Assessment, and Measurement

Quiz on Testing, Assessment, and Measurement

Not everyone looks forward to a test, but this assessment is designed to reflect time-honored best-practices in assessment. It may confirm what you already know and/or challenge your thinking. Either way, it is an opportunity to validate your understanding, gauge your expertise, and identify lingering gaps.
P.S. answers are included with each question.

Select one correct answer for each question but note that question 5 calls for two answers. Also note the ascending levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. To help you out, each question also has a hint or a quote from an assessment specialist or respected authority.

_____1. The landmark meta-analysis of formative assessment “Inside the Black Box” was written by:        (Recall)

1. John Hattie and Robert Marzano.
2. Charlotte Danielson.
3. Linda Darling-Hammond.
4. Paul Black and Dylan Wiliam.

Although each of these authors advocates for informative, effective, and practical, assessment. In relation to the “Black Box” study. The correct answer is 4.

_____2. A primary purpose of formative assessment is to:  (Understand)

1. Identify misunderstandings and close lingering gaps in learning.
2. Prepare teacher to give standardized tests.
3. Rank and assign grades to students.
4. Gather data for report cards.

“One of the most important roles of formative assessment is the provision of timely and informative feedback during teaching and learning.” National Resource Council  The correct answer is 1

_____3. Mr. Em wants to pre-assess his students individually. Which strategy should he use?                         (Apply)

1. Peer review, by other students, that relies on quality indictors
2. Sticky notes for collaboratively sorting information
3. Vocabulary matching task for homework
4. Exit slip where each student responds to the same prompt

All can disclose student learning, but exit slips are better suited for revealing each student’s explicit learning. The correct answer is 4

_____4. If a teacher gives an exam and everyone fails, what should he or she do?                                           (Apply)

1. Give the exam again.
2. Determine why students gave incorrect answers.
3. Make the exam easier.
4. Adjust his/her teaching style.

Understandingthe reasons behind student errors and misunderstandings is an essential first step before deciding whether to change instruction, resources, or measures of learning. The correct answer is 2

_____ _____5. When comparing assessment to measurement: Select two answers to this question. (Analyze)

1. Assessment is defined by a single numerical score
2. Assessment provides information that guides instructional decisions.
3.  Assessment generally relies on multiple strategies that provide insights into student learning.
4. Assessment results in a numerical grid showing student’s rankings.

Assessments that rely on multiple strategies to inform teaching and learning result in more accuracy, whereas Measurement is generally associated with numbers and rankings. The correct answers are 2 & 3  

_____ 6. The development of student self-assessment skills is beneficial because,                        (Analyze/Evaluate)

1. For the most part, students need letter grades to effectively monitor their learning.
2. Assessment is most meaningful when teachers give students grades.
3. Teachers know best about the indicators of quality learning.
4. Self-regulation develops from the ability to self-assess objectively, accurately, and fairly.

“Students have to be able to judge the quality of what they are producing as well as regulate processes throughout learning.” Robert Sadler. The correct answer is 4

_____7.  Which assessment requires students to demonstrate their learning through actions and tasks? (Understand)  

1 Performance Assessment    
2. Formative Assessment
3. Summative Measures
4. Standardized Tests                                                                                

“The content of selected choice tests is less important than how and whether students can use their competencies to further learning, overcome obstacles, and resolve complex problems.” Dietel, Herman, and Knuth. The correct answer is 1

_____8. Informative and instructive feedback is important because,                                                           (Understand)   

1. Quality feedback helps students to learn from their misunderstandings.
2. It makes the student feel good about themselves.
3. It explains the grade that was assigned.
4. Teachers are supposed to give their students feedback.

“Positive learning outcomes were more likely when feedback focused on learning intentions and features of the task.” Kluger and DeNisi.  The correct answer is 1

ENRICHMENT:  Write a selected-choice or short-answer question about assessment. Evaluate the question for quality indicators of assessment. Ask another educator for feedback.                                              (Create/Analyze)      

YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ASSESSMENT AND TESTING AT THESE RESOURCES

Assessment Vocabulary

Classroom Assessment