Assessment means looking for the presence or absence, to some degree, of desired learning objectives in a student being assessed. It tells us whether the desired learning objectives of a particular educational course or discipline are successfully achieved or not.
Assessment works at both ends. On the one hand it informs the students of their learning or skills deficiencies; provides them the chance to think and re-think about their shortcomings; and to improve their skills and abilities in future. While on the other hand, It informs a teacher or an educator about the success or failure of his teaching or instructional strategy. It tells him/her how much he/she is successful in effectively transferring a particular skills, idea or concepts to his/her students. It helps him/her in choosing the most effective teaching method or instructional strategy for teaching a particular skill or discipline. Moreover, it gives useful information to the educational policy makers and administrators.
Assessment is objectives oriented. Since its main purpose is to look for the desired learning objectives or goals of a particular educational program or activity in the students. There are mainly three types of assessment which are often used in education. They are given as under:
