New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which of the following best describes formal assessments?

1. Subjective and flexible in scoring

2. Standardized in administration and scoring

3. Non-standardized with subjective results

4. Primarily observational in nature

The correct answer is: Standardized in administration and scoring

Formal assessments are characterized by their standardized processes in both administration and scoring, which means that they are carefully constructed to ensure consistency and reliability across different test-takers. This standardization helps to produce results that can be reliably compared across individuals or groups, making it easier to assess academic achievement and learning outcomes. These assessments typically follow strict protocols for how they are given and how the results are interpreted, which allows educators to make informed decisions based on the data generated. This is essential in educational settings, where understanding a student's performance relative to defined benchmarks or standards is crucial for guiding instruction and intervention. In contrast, subjective assessments, which may be flexible in their scoring (the first choice) or observational in nature (the last choice), do not provide the same level of consistency and reliability as formal assessments. Non-standardized assessments often lead to results that may vary widely based on the individual's interpretation, making it difficult to draw broad conclusions about student performance.