Types of objective test and other kinds of it?

Question

Types of objective test and other kinds of it?

Answer 1

In special education, tests or assessments are not generally referred to as objective and subjective, although that is a close approximation to what they really are.  Assessments are typically classified as formal and informal.

Formal assessments are those published and in common use.  If considerable research and science has gone into developing these for comparisons within a given population (all races, certain ages or grades, disabilities, etc.) then they are referred to as standardized or normed tests.

Anything else is considered an informal, or in your words subjective, assessment.  These may include chapter tests from texts, teacher-made tests, and student work samples.

My training and experience is to use as much information as you can from both types of assessments to determine as student's present instructional level and how to direct future instruction.  This approach also seems to be promoted in IDEIA 2004.  Using a single assessment, especially to determine qualification (or disqualification) for special education services, is unfair, inaccurate and illegal.