NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What type of assessment is used to determine the instructional needs of a student?

1. Formative assessment

2. Diagnostic assessment

3. Summative assessment

4. Standardized assessment

The correct answer is: Diagnostic assessment

The correct answer is diagnostic assessment because this type of assessment is specifically designed to identify a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and instructional needs before instruction begins. It provides insights into areas where the student may require additional support or intervention. By administering diagnostic assessments, educators can tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of each student, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective. Formative assessments are conducted during the learning process to monitor student progress and inform instructional adjustments, but they do not primarily focus on determining initial instructional needs. Summative assessments evaluate student learning after an instructional period, assessing knowledge and skills acquired rather than diagnosing needs. Standardized assessments compare student performance against a larger population and may not provide the detailed insights necessary for identifying specific instructional needs.