Purpose of testing

1 Briefly discuss the concept “grade inflation”.

This is a term that is used to describe the high marks given to

students which are not concomitant with their performance.
According to Wikipedia (2007) 20 July, it is often ‘conflated with lax
academic standards’. It also refers to the high marks that are given
to students who present work which is authentically not their own.

2 What is an aptitude test battery?

It is counselling and guidance decisions” that are taken to identify

the skills the students can learn most quickly and easily, which can
also be used as a barometer to the type of tasks an individual will
most enjoy, which will eventually be used to determine the
programme which is appropriate for the student to learn or study.

From http://www.policetestprep.com/gatb.html, retrieved July 20,

2007.

3 Briefly discuss the types of educational decisions every

classroom teacher must make.

Instructional decision making

According to the Iowa department of Education, it is a process

whereby the students have an access to a ‘viable curriculum
provided by the school through the core instructional program’.
Assessment is regularly done to accumulate each student responses
to the curriculum. Students who are identified as needing additional
support are provided with ‘supplementary and core instructions’.
This process allows for students to receive instructions which
address their unique learning needs.

From http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/801/840/, retrieved

July 20, 2007.

Grading decision making

These are decisions that are less frequently made by the teacher in
the classroom. The teacher may decide who of his students get
higher marks and who get lower marks. The decision to give higher
marks or lower marks is informed by test scores and other data or
information obtained from performance and portfolio assessments.

The teacher may also consider factors such as ‘attendance, ability,

attitude, behavior and effort’ to grade his students’ performance in
the classroom.
Diagnostic decision making
These are decisions that a teacher make to determine the strength
or weakness and the reasons for those strength and weaknesses of
his or her learners.

4 Briefly discuss the type of data that is needed for diagnostic

decisions.

Objective test data (standardized assessment data)

The teacher may use formative as well as benchmark assessments

to make a choice of what interventions may be put in place in the
delivery of instructional matter. The teachers have to determine the
progress the progress of the students bearing in mind the proper
method of analysis and the reliability and analysis of the external
measure.

From http://www.3d2know.org/FAQ.html#def, retrieved July 20,

2007.

Subjective judgment (teacher made data)

Norm and criterion referenced tests

1 Briefly discuss the educational decisions for which you would

want to use norm referenced test. (Encourages competition)

2 Briefly discuss the educational decisions for which you would

want to use criterion referenced test. (Encourages cooperation)

Decisions Norm referenced Criterion

tests referenced tests
1. Instructional √ X
2. Grading √ √
3. Diagnostic √ √
4. Selection √ √
5. Placement √ X
6. Counseling and √ √
Guidance
7. Program or √ √
Curriculum
8. Administrative
8.1 On students
8.1.1 Promotion √ X
8.1.2 Graduation √ X