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Select and Supply Response Assessments (Admin Update 2)
Item-based, standardized tests have epistemological and social bases.
Their epistemological basis is an assumption that there can be right and wrong answers to the things that matter in a discipline (facts, definitions, numerical answers to problems), and from the sum of these answers we can infer deeper understanding of a topic or discipline. (You must have understood something if you got the right answer?) Right answers are juxtaposed beside 'distractors'—plausible, nearly right answers or mistakes it would be easy to make. The testing game is to sift the right from the (deceptively) wrong.
The social basis of item-based tests is the idea of standardization, or tests which are administered to everyone in the same way for the purposes of comparison measured in terms of comparative success or failure.
Psychometrics is a statistical measurement process that supports generalizations from what is at root survey data. (An item-based test is essentially, a kind of psychological survey, whose purpose is to measure knowledge and understanding.)
Today, some standardized tests, such as PISA and TIMMS aim to evaluate higher order disciplinary skills.
Comment: When are standardized tests at their best? And/or worst?
Make an Update: "Parse" a standardized test. Or describe the implementation of a standardized test in practice. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Standardized tests are at their best when used appropriately and in alignment with their intended purpose. Here are some scenarios where standardized tests are most effective:
1. Comparative Analysis: Standardized tests are useful for comparing the performance of individuals or groups across different regions, schools, or demographics. This can help identify achievement gaps and areas for improvement.
2. Accountability: Standardized tests can hold educational institutions accountable for the quality of education they provide. By measuring student performance against established standards, schools can be evaluated and held responsible for their outcomes.
3. Diagnostic Purposes: Standardized tests can be valuable tools for diagnosing learning difficulties or identifying areas where students may need additional support or intervention.
4. Research and Policy Development: Standardized test results can be used to inform educational research, policy development, and resource allocation based on identified trends and patterns.
On the other hand, standardized tests are at their worst when used inappropriately or when their limitations are not taken into account. Here are some scenarios where standardized tests may not be as effective:
1. Narrow Focus: Standardized tests often assess a limited range of skills and knowledge, which may not fully capture the complexity of student learning or abilities.
2. High-Stakes Consequences: When standardized test scores are used as the sole measure of student achievement or teacher effectiveness, it can lead to teaching to the test, narrowing the curriculum, and increased stress for students.
3. Cultural Bias: Some standardized tests may contain cultural biases that disadvantage certain groups of students, leading to unfair outcomes and perpetuating inequities.
4. Limited Feedback: Standardized tests typically provide a snapshot of performance at a specific point in time and may not offer detailed feedback on individual strengths and weaknesses.
When implementing a standardized test in practice, several steps are typically involved:
1. Test Development: The test is designed based on established standards and guidelines, ensuring that it aligns with the intended objectives and content areas.
2. Administration: The test is administered to a group of students following specific protocols to maintain consistency and fairness across all test-takers.
3. Scoring: Test responses are scored according to predetermined criteria, often using automated scoring systems or trained scorers to ensure accuracy.
4. Analysis and Reporting: Test results are analyzed to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Reports may be generated to communicate findings to stakeholders.
Strengths of standardized tests include:
- Objectivity: Standardized tests provide consistent and objective measures of student performance.
- Comparability: Results from standardized tests allow for comparisons across different populations or time periods.
- Efficiency: Standardized tests can efficiently assess large groups of students within a relatively short timeframe.
Weaknesses of standardized tests include:
- Limited Scope: Standardized tests may not capture the full range of student abilities or skills.
- Cultural Bias: Some standardized tests may contain biases that disadvantage certain groups of students.
- High-Stakes Consequences: Reliance on standardized test scores for high-stakes decisions can lead to unintended consequences and pressure to teach to the test.
Advantages
• Standardized tests measure how scholars/students are performing on an academic level. The test contain an array of questions ranging from multiple choice, matching, true or false, to summative essays. Widely used for aptitude or c admissions to higher learning institutions.
• Test are administered by subject matter experts to ensure quality audits and results
• Standardized tests enable students to get into study routine that set them up well for college/university.
Disdavantages:
• Standardized tests have a narrow scope, which may not reflect the full scope of a student’s abilities or learning curve. It does not reflect whether a student can achieve their fullest potential.
• Pick the correct answer can create immense pressure and stress for students, which may negatively affect their performance depending on factors such as wording meant to trick or confuse you, sentences look similar but have different meanings. (Rephrased sentenced can be confusing when you cram or have limited vocabulary)
• Standardized tests are culturally and socioeconomically biased. students from different ethnicity may be at a disadvantage when taking the tests due to English comprehension (i.e. language bias).
• A test score does not indicate whether student(s) are well prepared for college.
• Standardized tests do not take into consideration learner needs and learning styles.
Tests are generally very important so that we can check the acquisition of knowledge. Standard tests are used to check knowledge in various fields (driving school, college entrance exams, school exams). A big advantage of standard test is that they offer the same test and the same grading system. That way, all respondents are sure that they had the same questions and know exactly which answers are accepted as correct answers. I would also like to mention the fact that there is no subjectivity in the evaluation as a big advantage. The disadvantage of this type of evaluation can occur during entrance exams for faculties. In entrance exams, the same questions are asked to all examinees, and it is not known whether they all had the same standard of learning. In such situations, it might be preferable to introduce non-standard exams in order to get to know the candidate better and see if he has the potential for the study he is enrolling for.
For example, for driving tests, I think that standard tests are an excellent choice, since the rules regarding driving are the same all over the world. Also, the literature that is offered when enrolling in a driving school is fully adequate for the candidate to successfully pass the driving test.
Advocates of standardized tests highlight several key advantages. Through standardized tests, schools ensure the teaching of basic skills and knowledge necessary for all students, preparing them for success after graduation. Requiring the fulfillment of the same educational standards through tests ensures fairer education for all students, regardless of socioeconomic factors. When testing is conducted objectively, through computers or unbiased assessors, potential bias in assessing students' knowledge is eliminated. The results of standardized tests can help identify areas where additional training or funding is needed and encourage the exchange of best practices among schools.
Despite these advantages, it is important to note that standardized tests do not always reflect the needs of all students or always align with school curricula. Therefore, it is important to consider other assessment methods in education.
Bilać, S. (2008). INTELEKTUALNE SPOSOBNOSTI DJECE PRED POLAZAK U ŠKOLU I USPJEH U NJOJ. Paediatria Croatica, 52 (3), 215-215. Preuzeto s https://hrcak.srce.hr/29658
Što je standardizirano testiranje? Definicije, prednosti i mane & Više (cria.school) Opens in a new tab
@Gabrijela Jakovac,
Given the subjective nature of individual teacher and district assessments, standardized tests allow for less probability of subjective bias when scoring responses. To complete exam questions for these types of tests, the time allotment is the same for each student, and the use of multiple-choice or true-false problems increases the chance of neutral and accurate outcomes.
@Mai Tran
I totally aggree with your comment regarding the use of multiple-choice testing and its outcomes. These tests provide convenience for teachers who do not have time to prepare formative assessments.
students often tend to think that multiple-choice test are easy, because they just have to memorise facts to make the correct choice in tests.
A student may not have to study to pass a multiple choice test.
This flawed type of testing does not prove whether student has a clear undersatanding of the concepts taught in class.
Learners ability is not the same, some are slow learners while some are fast. Each group must be put into consideration,
Standard test is very good for assessing learners ability and what had been taught by the educators
But failure by the learner does not mean the learner is poor or a is not good. The learner can be good in other areas. It is not the true test for all learners
I use select and supply response both types in my papers that I set
Standardized tests are at their best when we test the students and it turns out to be the actual representation of their abilities capabilities and rank.. These tests are considered best when the students are best judged by them and all aspects are kept under consideration. These tests are important in research data analysis and in cases where the position or co relation is to be studied
These tests can be at their worst when the students formative assessment gets affected.. When the standardized test doesn't cater to the individual differences in the students. These tests fail to identify the hidden talents and interests of the students.. All students are judged by one standardized test which is incorrect and unreliable... A test should test well keeping in view the wide range of students and their characteristics...
Still the standardized tests are popular and lead to a uniform paper to all..with sinister ranking system attached to it...
The second cartoon shows that the performance of climbing the tree will be biased at the end the end because others there will climb easily, others with difficulties and others like elephant cannot climb at all. However, to grade the test on the angles of standardization, an elephant which has not climbed will also need to have a grade in order to bring a logical balance in the test and the class. This stipulates that standardization has both weaknesses and strengths especially on the point of bringing balance to the underserving.
Really true...
Really true...