FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which assessment is most suitable for comparing an individual student's knowledge with their peers at the same grade level?

1. Criterion-referenced assessment

2. Formative assessment

3. Summative assessment

4. Norm-referenced assessment

The correct answer is: Norm-referenced assessment

The most suitable assessment for comparing an individual student's knowledge with their peers at the same grade level is a norm-referenced assessment. This type of assessment is designed to measure a student’s performance relative to a larger group, typically a representative sample of students at the same grade level. Norm-referenced assessments provide a way to understand where a student stands compared to their peers, which is essential for gauging overall achievement and identifying areas where a student excels or may need additional support. In contrast, criterion-referenced assessments focus on measuring a student's performance against a fixed set of criteria or learning standards, rather than comparing them to other students. While formative assessments are used to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback, they are not primarily intended for comparison with peers. Summative assessments evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit but do not typically provide comparative data on a broader scale. Thus, norm-referenced assessments are specifically designed for the purpose of comparing an individual's performance with that of a group, making it the appropriate choice in this context.