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

What type of assessment is conducted before a learning experience to measure baseline knowledge?

1. Formative Assessment

2. Summative Assessment

3. Diagnostic Assessment

4. Performance Assessment

The correct answer is: Diagnostic Assessment

The correct choice is diagnostic assessment because it is specifically designed to evaluate a learner's existing knowledge and skills before instruction begins. This type of assessment helps educators identify students' strengths and weaknesses, allowing for the customization of instruction to meet individual needs. By measuring baseline knowledge, diagnostic assessments inform teachers about what learners already understand, ensuring that upcoming lessons align with their starting points. Formative assessment focuses on monitoring student learning during the instructional process to provide ongoing feedback and guide teaching decisions. Summative assessment, on the other hand, evaluates student learning at the end of an instructional period, measuring what students have learned after the instruction is complete. Performance assessment assesses students' abilities to apply knowledge and skills in real-world tasks and can occur during or after instruction, rather than before. Therefore, diagnostic assessment stands out as the most appropriate approach for gathering initial information about student knowledge prior to a learning experience.