New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What type of assessment relies on scoring that is subjective and based on observations?

1. Formal Assessments

2. Informal Assessments

3. Norm-referenced Assessments

4. Criterion-referenced Assessments

The correct answer is: Informal Assessments

Informal assessments are characterized by their subjective scoring methods, which often rely on teacher observations, interactions, and unstructured assessments rather than standardized criteria. These assessments allow educators to gather insights into a student’s learning process, performance, and understanding in a more flexible way, focusing on real-time feedback and observational data. Typical examples include classroom discussions, portfolios, and anecdotal records that capture a student’s progress over time. In contrast, formal assessments often utilize standardized methods and scoring processes that are objective and structured, such as standardized tests. Norm-referenced assessments compare a student's performance to a national sample, while criterion-referenced assessments measure a student’s performance against specific learning criteria or standards.