DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT

For this post, my topic will be about Diagnostic Assessment.

http://www.guroo.info/images/pink-assessment.png

What is Diagnostic Assessment?

From my understanding, diagnostic assessment is similar to placement assessment in terms of education. It is usually conducted at the beginning of students' learning. Placement assessment is also conducted before class starts to place students in the most suitable class or learning program.

What is the purpose of Diagnostic Assessment?

Diagnostic assessment is to test students' prior knowledge on what and how much they understand so far before attending the class. Students who are able to answer well in the test will be placed in a higher level class while those who did not score well will be places in lower level classes.

Besides that, diagnostic assessment also helps teachers find the best teaching method and learning program for the students who took the test.

http://www.education.nt.gov.au/parents-community/assessment-reporting/diagnostic-assessments/diagnostic-assessments

Examples of Diagnostic Assessment

• Class placement tests

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/ieli/pressroom/ieli/theater-class/image

• IQ Tests

https://memorado.com/assets/appraisals/iqtest/results/iqtest-en.jpg

• Personality Tests

http://www.mbacrystalball.com/mcbroot/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/personality-test.png

• Suitable Learning Method Test

http://brainbless.com/Images/talk-to-people.gif

My Reflection/Opinion on Diagnostic Assessment

In my opinion, diagnostic assessment enables me as a student to understand myself better. It also helps students know their best learning method and find the most suitable approach to learning.

However, in my opinion, it the results taken my be inconsistent as the condition the student is taking the test may be different every time. If a student is normally capable of something but when taking the test, the students is not in good condition, it will cause students to be placed in a class not suitable for them.

Suggestion to improve Diagnostic Assessment

1. Ask clearer and more direct questions so the test-takers can  understand and answer better.
2. Take the test a few times to get an average in order to get a more accurate and consistent result.
3. Give this test more often to students to help them understand themselves better.

Reference:

http://www.education.nt.gov.au/parents-community/assessment-reporting/diagnostic-assessments/diagnostic-assessments

http://aub.edu.lb/ctl/Documents/CLO%20summer%202012/Diagnostic%20formative%20summative%20asst.pdf

http://www.slideshare.net/pafirth/diagnostic-assessment-ideas-12934737