New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What type of assessments are conducted to identify existing knowledge and skills before beginning instruction?

1. Informal Assessments

2. Diagnostic Assessments

3. Formative Assessments

4. Summative Assessments

The correct answer is: Diagnostic Assessments

Diagnostic assessments are specifically designed to identify students' existing knowledge and skills prior to instruction. These assessments help educators determine a student's strengths and weaknesses, enabling them to tailor instruction to meet individual needs effectively. By gathering this information at the outset, teachers can make informed decisions regarding teaching strategies and curricular adjustments, ensuring that students receive the most appropriate and effective instruction. Informal assessments, while useful in gathering ongoing data about student learning, are typically conducted during the instructional process rather than prior to its commencement. Formative assessments occur during instruction and are designed to monitor student learning and inform teaching practices. Summative assessments, on the other hand, evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, measuring what students have learned rather than their prior knowledge. Thus, diagnostic assessments are unique in their focus on pre-instruction evaluation, which is why they are the appropriate choice.