What is measured by performance-based test strategies in educational settings?

Performance-based test strategies in educational settings measure students' ability to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world or practical contexts. This approach often includes assessments that require students to perform tasks or generate products that demonstrate their learning and competency in a subject area.

Long-term projects are particularly effective for this purpose because they allow students to engage deeply with the material; they can conduct research, collaborate with peers, and create comprehensive outputs such as presentations, reports, or models. This type of assessment focuses not just on recalling information but on synthesizing and applying what has been learned, making it an authentic measure of a student’s capabilities.

In contrast, other types of assessments, such as short answer exams, multiple choice questions, or true or false questions, mainly evaluate rote memorization or understanding of specific facts and concepts. These methods don't necessarily provide a complete picture of a student's ability to apply knowledge in practical situations, which is the primary goal of performance-based assessments.