Compares performance of one test taker to another using a percentile ranking For English language learners Helps to place students in certain classes or provide interventions Informal, ongoing checks to help teachers make immediate decisions Measure outcomes and usually occur at the end of a lesson, unit, semester... Measure skills against a set of standards or predetermined criteria Measures specific foundational skills Observations,checklists, exit slips, writing samples Pinpoints or diagnoses an issue with a particular skill PISA - compares student performance around the world State reading, teacher certification exams Unit tests, chapter tests