A test that measures acquired knowledge or skills at the end of a learning experience is called what?

• A. Norm-Referenced
• B. Formative Assessment
• C. Diagnostic Test
• D. Achievement Test

Answer: (D)

At the end of a learning experience, you want to see what students have actually mastered. An achievement test is designed to measure the knowledge or skills that were taught, usually after instruction, to determine whether the learning goals were met. It's often used summatively to report mastery levels or make high-stakes judgments about what students can do independently. Formative assessment is used during instruction to guide teaching, not to certify final mastery. Diagnostic tests look for preexisting gaps before or early in learning, to tailor support. Norm-referenced assessments compare a student to peers rather than to defined objectives. So, for measuring what has been acquired by the end of instruction, the best fit is an achievement test.