Types of Assessment
Formative
/fɔːrˈmeɪ.tɪv/
Assessment designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback.
Summative
/ˈsʌm.ə.tɪv/
Assessment conducted at the end of a course or unit to evaluate overall learning.
Diagnostic
/daɪəɡˈnɒstɪk/
Assessment used to identify learners’ strengths and weaknesses before instruction.
Performance
/pərˈfɔːrməns/
Assessment based on practical tasks or demonstrations of skills.
Example: "The teacher used formative assessment to adjust her lessons based on student progress."
Assessment Methods
Multiple-choice
/ˌmʌltɪpl ˈtʃɔɪs/
A method where learners select the correct answer from several options.
Essay
/ˈɛseɪ/
A written response that requires learners to develop ideas in paragraphs.
Oral exam
/ˈɔːrəl ɪɡˈzæm/
Assessment conducted through spoken responses or interviews.
Project
/ˈprɒdʒɛkt/
An extended task where learners create a product or presentation.
Example: "She prepared for the oral exam by practicing speaking with a partner."
Assessment Tools
Rubric
/ˈruːbrɪk/
A guide listing criteria and standards for grading or scoring.
Checklist
/ˈtʃɛklɪst/
A list of items to verify that all requirements are met.
Score sheet
/skɔːr ʃiːt/
A document that records scores or marks for each assessment item.
Portfolio
/pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
A collection of student work that demonstrates learning progress.
Example: "The rubric helped the teacher grade the essays fairly."
Assessment Criteria
Accuracy
/ˈækjərəsi/
The degree to which answers or work are correct and free of errors.
Fluency
/ˈfluːənsi/
The ability to speak or write smoothly and easily.
Relevance
/ˈrɛləvəns/
How closely the response relates to the question or topic.
Completeness
/kəmˈpliːtnəs/
Whether all parts of the task are fully answered or addressed.
Example: "The student’s answer scored high in accuracy and completeness."
Assessment Results
Pass
/pæs/
Meeting the minimum required standard to succeed.
Fail
/feɪl/
Not meeting the required standard to pass.
Grade
/ɡreɪd/
A letter or number representing performance level.
Score
/skɔːr/
The number of points earned in an assessment.
Example: "She received a high grade on her final exam."
Giving Feedback
Comment
/ˈkɒmɛnt/
A written or spoken remark about performance or work.
Suggestion
/səˈdʒɛstʃən/
An idea offered to improve or enhance learning.
Encouragement
/ɪnˈkʌrɪdʒmənt/
Words that motivate or support a learner’s progress.
Correction
/kəˈrɛkʃən/
Indicating errors and how to fix them.
Example: "The teacher gave detailed comments and corrections on the essay."
Common Verbs in Assessment
To evaluate
/ɪˈvæljueɪt/
To judge the quality or value of something.
To grade
/ɡreɪd/
To assign a score or level to work.
To assess
/əˈsɛs/
To measure or estimate knowledge or skills.
To mark
/mɑːrk/
To give a score or grade to an answer or paper.
Example: "The professor will evaluate all assignments by next week."
Useful Phrases
"Please submit your assignment by Friday."
/pliːz səbˈmɪt jʊər əˈsaɪnmənt baɪ ˈfraɪdeɪ/
A request to turn in work before the deadline.
"Your work meets the criteria for a high pass."
/jʊər wɜːrk miːts ðə kraɪˈtɪəriə fɔːr ə haɪ pæs/
Feedback indicating strong performance.
"Can you explain your answer in more detail?"
/kæn juː ɪkˈspleɪn jʊər ˈænsər ɪn mɔːr dɪˈteɪl/
A prompt to elaborate on a response.
"This part of your project needs improvement."
/ðɪs pɑːrt ʌv jʊər ˈprɒdʒɛkt niːdz ɪmˈpruːvmənt/
Constructive criticism for better results.