What type of assessment attempts to replicate real-world competencies through its design?

Authentic assessment is designed to evaluate a student's abilities in a way that mirrors real-world tasks and situations. This form of assessment focuses on practical application of knowledge and skills in contexts that students are likely to encounter outside of the classroom. For example, rather than simply testing theoretical knowledge, authentic assessment might require students to complete a project, perform a presentation, or engage in a simulation that reflects actual practices in a relevant field.

This type of assessment provides a more comprehensive understanding of a student’s capabilities, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By emphasizing real-life competencies, it promotes deeper learning and can often be more engaging for students, as they see the relevance of their education to their future careers or daily life.

Other assessment types aim to gather data in different ways. Quantitative assessment focuses on numerical data and scores, formative assessment is aimed at monitoring student learning progress during instruction for ongoing improvement, and diagnostic assessment seeks to identify students' strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins. Each of these approaches has its purposes, but they do not replicate real-world competencies in the same holistic manner as authentic assessment does.