Evaluation and Assessment

U.S. educators have developed an extensive body of theory and an array of evaluation and assessment methods and techniques to assist in the identification of student learning styles and needs, the diagnosis of learning disabilities and related developmental issues, the classification of interests and abilities, the assessment of instructional and program quality and effectiveness, and the measurement of student learning and achievement. Detailed and continuous evaluation and assessment is part of every educational program and is important in a system that does not rely on framework laws or uniform national examinations as templates to determine academic program content or student tracking and achievement.

General Information Resources

American Evaluation Association (AEA)  is a national association of professional educators, psychologists, and other specialists involved in the design, development, administration, and interpretation of tests and other evaluative instruments.

National Association of Test Directors (NATD) is the national association of primary and secondary school counselors and psychologists who are certified to administer and use diagnostic and predictive instruments in advising students and their parents.

National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) is a professional association involved in the scientific study and design of improved evaluation instruments, psychometric standards, learning and development measures, and analytical procedures. It publishes the Journal of Education Measurement.

Consortium for Equity in Standards and Testing is a national research and advocacy organization promoting fairness in the design, development, and administration of assessments, tests, and evaluations.

Joint Committee on Testing Practices is a national inter-organizational policy committee that monitors and develops guidelines in the areas of test development, qualifications for test administrators, and standards and criteria for evaluation and assessment.

Research and Information Centers

National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Testing (CRESST) is a university-based research institute studying the theory and practice of educational evaluation and assessment, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation is a comprehensive research-based information service on educational evaluation, testing and measurement, assessment methods, psychometrics, and related topics, administered by the National Library of Education.

Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides detailed information and research reports on evaluation and assessment in the areas of language acquisition and linguistic competency.

Testing Industry

Association of Test Publishers (ATP)  is the national body representing the test development and publishing industry. Educational, employment, health, and many other testing specializations are included.

Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a private research and development organization responsible for the design and development of many commonly used standardized tests such as the SAT, plus evaluation instruments and the conduct of evaluation research.

The Psychological Corporation (TPC) is a test development company responsible for a number of educational assessment instruments and standardized entrance tests such as the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

School-Level Assessments

Evaluation and Test Methods and Instruments

ERIC Test Collection maintained by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation is the most comprehensive database of U.S. evaluative and assessment instruments and related technical data. All types of assessments are included, ranging from diagnostic to subject-related achievement tests.

Online Evaluation Resource Library (OERL) is an information and technical assistance service, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, for the development of programmatic and institutional evaluations.

National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) is a research institute funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services which studies the assessment and evaluation of students with disabilities.

National and Comparative Assessments

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an annual, sample-based assessment of U.S. 4th and 8th grade students designed to produce a useful snapshot of competency in selected subjects and learning skills. Recent results have indicated a leveling off or decline in performance between primary school and the beginning of secondary school.

Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is an international comparative assessment of school student performance in mathematics and science subjects. TIMSS was administered in 1996 and 1999 and will be again in 2003.

Aptitude Tests

Standardized aptitude tests are frequently used by higher education admissions authorities to help assess an applicant's probable capacity to do the academic work required at a specific level or in a specific program of study. Because standardized tests are normed for the national student population, they can be useful in resolving questions concerning the standard of preparation of students coming from a variety of schools, institutions, and other educational settings. Aptitude tests are never the sole, or even the major, factor in admissions decisions, but they play an important role in sorting out the diversity inherent in the U.S. system.

Secondary Level Aptitude Tests

Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a test given to secondary school students prior to the 12th year to help them determine their probable performance on the SAT and identify deficiencies. It is also used to enable high-scoring students to qualify for scholarships offered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify.

Undergraduate Admissions Tests

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an aptitude test developed by the College Board and ETS for assessing the probable success of secondary school graduates applying for admission to undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) studies in higher education institutions. It is divided into the SAT I general verbal and quantitative aptitude test and the SAT II tests of competency in specific subjects. The SAT is used nationally and internationally.

ACT Assessment is an aptitude test developed by the American College Testing Program (now ACT, Inc.) for assessing secondary school graduates' ability to perform at the undergraduate higher education level, and is used nationwide and internationally. It is divided into four parts: English usage, reading comprehension, mathematics, and science reasoning.

Allied Health Aptitude Test (AHAT) is a standardized test developed by the Psychological Association for use in assessing the probable success of graduating secondary students applying for admission to undergraduate associate degree programs in allied health fields such as clinical laboratory technology, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, and dental hygiene. It consists of four parts: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, science knowledge, and reading ability.

Allied Health Professions Admission Test (AHPAT) is a standardized test developed by the Psychological Association for use in assessing the probable success of graduating secondary students applying for admission to bachelor's degree programs in allied health fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology, and physician's assistant. It consists of five parts: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, biology, chemistry, and reading ability.

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is a standardized test approved by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy for use in assessing the probable success of entering undergraduate students applying for admission to first degree programs in pharmacy. It consists of five parts: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, biology, chemistry, and reading ability.

Practical/Vocational Nursing Entrance Examination (PNEE) is a standardized test developed by the Psychological Association for use in assessing the probable success of graduating secondary students applying for admission to undergraduate programs in nursing that prepare students to become practical or vocational nurses (LPN, LVN). It consists of four parts: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, science knowledge, and reading ability.

Registered Nursing Entrance Examination (RNEE) is a standardized test developed by the Psychological Association for use in assessing the probable success of graduating secondary students applying for admission to undergraduate programs in nursing that prepare students to become registered nurses (RN). It consists of five parts: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, biology, chemistry, and reading ability.

Graduate and Professional Admissions Tests

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an aptitude test designed to assess the potential of bachelor's degree students to succeed in academic studies at the graduate level (master's, doctorate). It is composed of three parts: a general aptitude test, subject tests in selected disciplines, and a writing assessment.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a standardized test approved by the American Dental Association for use in assessing the probable success of bachelor's degree students applying for admission to first degree programs in dentistry. It consists of four parts: scientific knowledge, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and perceptual ability.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test developed by the Graduate Management Admissions Council to assess the potential of bachelor's degree students to succeed in MBA studies and related graduate-level business administration programs. It consists of three parts: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test developed by the Law School Admissions Council to assess the potential of bachelor's degree students to succeed in undergraduate legal studies leading to the JD degree. It assesses verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and logical skills.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test approved by the Association of American Medical Colleges for use in assessing the probable success of bachelor's degree students applying for admission to first degree programs in medicine. It consists of five parts: scientifi

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a test of reasoning ability, using verbal analogies, that is used by many graduate-level higher education programs to help assess the potential of applicants, particularly in fields such as education

Veterinary College Admissons Test (VCAT) is a standardized test developed by the Psychological Corporation for use in assessing the probable success of bachelor's degree students applying for admission to first degree programs in veterinary medicine. It consists of five parts: biology, chemistry, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and reading ability.

Achievement Examinations

Achievement examinations are traditional essay, problem-solving, and oral examinations, not just standardized tests, that are given to students who complete special preparatory studies, often in addition to regular school work. They are recognized throughout the U.S. higher education system, and in many other countries, as signifying either the equivalent of a U.S. secondary education or the attainment of an international standard of scholastic preparation.

General Educational Development (GED) Program is a combined study program and battery of five examinations (literature and the arts, social sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, and writing assessment) that leads to the GED Diploma, recognized in all U.S. states as equivalent to a High School Diploma. The examinations are designed so that a minimum passing grade meets the standard reached by 67 percent of all graduating secondary school students in the same year. Adults may study individually or through special GED centers located across the country.

Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations is a program of (currently) 33 study programs and associated written examinations in 19 subject areas, taught at the level of introductory bachelor's degree studies, offered at cooperating secondary schools by specially trained instructors and using college-level resources. Achievement of a score of 3 or higher (scoring range: 1-5) on the final examination is considered the equivalent of passing an introductory undergraduate course in the examined subject, and such students may receive advanced credit for the course before entering higher education. AP examinations are recognized by over 13,000 schools and institutions in the United States and abroad, and in many cases students who present passing scores in several AP subjects may be exempted from up to a year of undergraduate study in the United States or be granted direct access to higher education in other countries.

International Baccalaureate (IB) is a two-year secondary-level diploma program for students age 16-19, offered by specially trained instructors in cooperating secondary schools or dedicated IB schools. Students study and are examined in a curriculum of six broad areas (primary and secondary languages, arts, social sciences, physical sciences, and mathematics) and are award the IB Diploma if successful. Many U.S. secondary schools offer the IB program as an option; completion of the program generally requires U.S. students to remain in school for at least one semester beyond the 12th year. The IB is widely recognized as an international access credential for higher education.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a structured array of examinations designed to enable undergraduate postsecondary students to demonstrate mastery of subject content in areas that they have studied on their own or in which they have accumulated sufficient experience to attempt to be exempted from course requirements by passing one or more CLEP examinations. Passing scores (which vary by examination) are usually accepted by U.S. institutions as the equivalent of completing specified courses in the examined subject, and academic credit hours are awarded. There are 5 general examinations (English, humanities, social sciences and history, natural sciences, and mathematics) and 29 specific course-related subject examinations. CLEP examinations are often used by U.S. and international students to exempt themselves from having to repeat material already mastered or to skip introductory-level courses or distribution requirements.

English Language Proficiency Tests

English language proficiency tests are required of any student seeking to study in the United States who was educated in a country where English was not a national language or the language of instruction. There are currently two commonly used English proficiency tests.

Advanced Placement International English Language (APIEL) is an increasingly used and accepted assessment of English language proficiency. It follows the study and examination format of other Advanced Placement programs but is designed specifically for non-native speakers of English.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a widely used and recognized measure of basic English language proficiency for non-native speakers. The TOEFL was developed by ETS and follows a standardized test format.