In educational and psychological measurement, professionals classify assessments into four fundamental types based on their core purpose. Understanding these categories helps in selecting the appropriate tool for evaluating knowledge, skills, or abilities. The four types of tests are diagnostic, formative, summative, and placement.
- Diagnostic Tests: Administered before instruction begins, these identify a learner's existing knowledge, skills, and misconceptions to inform teaching strategies.
- Formative Tests: Conducted during the learning process, these provide ongoing feedback to both instructors and students, allowing for adjustments in teaching and study methods.
- Summative Tests: Given at the end of an instructional unit, these evaluate overall learning achievement and mastery, often used for grading or certification.
- Placement Tests: Used to determine a learner's appropriate entry level into a curriculum or program, ensuring they begin at a suitable challenge level.
Therefore, the framework of the four types of tests is defined by when the assessment occurs and how the results are used. Selecting from these four types of tests ensures alignment between your measurement goals and the insights you need to gather from the evaluation process.