Which type of assessment is characterized by professional judgment and various techniques?

The correct answer is informal assessments. These assessments are characterized by the use of professional judgment and can encompass a variety of techniques tailored to the individual needs of students. Informal assessments include observations, interviews, student work samples, and unstructured tests, all designed to gather data on a student's performance in a more flexible and less restrictive manner than formal assessments. This allows educators to gain insights into a student's understanding and skills in real-world contexts.

In contrast, standardized achievement tests have a fixed methodology and are designed to measure student performance against a uniform standard, thus lacking the personal touch of professional judgment. Diagnostic assessments are typically more structured and focused on identifying specific learning needs or areas of difficulty, while formative assessments are intended to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback throughout the instructional process. Informal assessments shine in their adaptability and the breadth of techniques they can employ, making them ideal for capturing the nuanced understanding of a student's abilities.