Brief Introduction And Definitions of Evaluation, Measurement, Assessment and Test

Introduction To Assessment and Judgement in Educational Setting

Before simplifying the definitions of the above mentioned terms it is necessary to throw some light on these as a whole as an introductory part of educational measurement or judgement. For most of the learners it is not easy know the difference between testing, assessment, and evaluation. If we define these terms within an educational setting, they are all used to measure:

i.     how much and in what way all the given tasks are accomplished

ii.    how the assigned materials are being used and mastered by the students

iii.   how much the student are learning

iv.   whether students are achieving the already set goals and objectives. 

v.   how the students spend much of their academic time

vi.  how they value themselves academically

For most of the teachers it is extremely important to learn as to what assessment means. Assessment is one of the most vitally important aspects of an educational system. Although you may believe that assessments only provide instructors with information on which to base a score or grade, assessments also help you to assess your own learning. Educationists make the difference between assessment, evaluation, and testing. 

Simple Definition of Measurement, Evaluation, Test and Assessment

Definition of Measurement:

Measurement refers to the set of procedures and the principles as to how to use the procedures in educational tests and assessments. Some of the basic principles of measurement in educational evaluations would be raw scores, percentile ranks, derived scores, standard scores, etc. According to J.P Guilford, measurement means the description of data. All the class tests - monthly, bimonthly, midterm, final term exams's scores can be counted in measurement.

Definition of Evaluation: 

Evaluation in education means procedures which are used to determine whether the subject (i.e. student) meets a preset criteria, such as qualifying for special education services. This uses assessment (remember that an assessment may be a test) to make a determination of qualification in accordance with a predetermined criteria. In simple words, evaluation is the process of making judgments based on pre-set criteria and evidence.

Definition of Test: 

Test is a method of determining a student's ability to complete certain tasks or demonstrate mastery of a skill or knowledge of content, that is learning stuff). Some of the types of tests would be multiple choice tests, or a weekly spelling test. While it is commonly used interchangeably with assessment, or even evaluation, it can be distinguished by the fact that a test is one form of an assessment. In other words a test or quiz is used to judge or examine someone's knowledge of something to determine what he or she knows or has learned. Testing measures the level of skill or knowledge that has been achieved.

Definition of Assessment: 

Assessment if the the process of gathering information to monitor progress and make educational decisions if necessary. As noted in my definition of test, an assessment may include a test, but also includes methods such as observations, interviews, behavior monitoring, etc. Assessment refers to measuring what you know and what have learned. Assessment is the process of documenting knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs, usually in measurable terms. The goal of assessment is to make improvements, as opposed to simply being judged. The benefit of assessment is to help a teacher ro build confidence in the students ability to learn.