1
D184 WGU OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT 2026–2027 | 180+
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of standards-based assessment?
A. To rank students against one another
B. To average student performance over time
C. To measure mastery of clearly defined learning standards
D. To assign numerical grades for reporting
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Standards-based assessment exists to determine whether a learner has met specific learning
standards. This is supported by Marzano’s standards-based grading framework and WGU’s
competency-based model, which prioritizes mastery rather than comparison or averaging.
2. Which feature best distinguishes standards-based grading from traditional
grading?
A. Use of percentages
B. Focus on behavior and effort
C. Alignment of assessments to learning standards
D. Use of extra credit
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Traditional grading blends behavior, effort, and academics. Standards-based grading isolates
academic mastery and aligns assessments directly to standards, which is a foundational principle
taught in D184.
3. A proficiency scale is primarily used to:
, 2
A. Calculate student GPA
B. Compare students to peers
C. Describe levels of mastery of a standard
D. Assign letter grades
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Proficiency scales describe progressive mastery levels of a standard. They are descriptive tools,
not ranking or grading mechanisms. This aligns with Marzano’s 4-point proficiency model.
4. Which proficiency level typically indicates consistent independent mastery?
A. Level 1
B. Level 2
C. Level 3
D. Level 4
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Level 3 represents the target level of proficiency where students demonstrate consistent,
independent mastery of the standard. Level 4 indicates advanced or extended application, not
required mastery.
5. What is the primary role of a focus statement?
A. To define grading criteria
B. To describe instructional strategies
C. To clarify the intent of a learning standard
D. To assign point values
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Focus statements unpack the intent of a standard so teachers and students understand what
learning is expected. This ensures instructional and assessment alignment.
6. Measurement topics are best described as:
, 3
A. Broad curriculum goals
B. Observable skills aligned to standards
C. Student behavioral expectations
D. Instructional pacing guides
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Measurement topics break standards into assessable, observable skills. They define what
evidence of learning looks like and support reliable assessment design.
7. Which assessment type measures procedural knowledge?
A. Recall of definitions
B. Multiple-choice vocabulary tests
C. Demonstration of a skill or process
D. True or false quizzes
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Procedural knowledge involves performing a task or process. Demonstrations and performance
tasks directly measure procedural understanding, unlike recall-based assessments.
8. What does assessment alignment ensure?
A. Faster grading
B. Increased difficulty
C. Consistency between standards, instruction, and assessment
D. Higher student motivation
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Alignment ensures assessments measure what was taught and what the standards require. This
principle is central to validity in standards-based systems.
9. Reliability in assessment refers to:
, 4
A. Fairness of grading
B. Consistency of measurement results
C. Difficulty level
D. Student engagement
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Reliability concerns consistency. If an assessment produces similar results under similar
conditions, it is considered reliable. This is a core concept in educational measurement theory.
10. Validity in assessment means the assessment:
A. Is easy to grade
B. Measures what it claims to measure
C. Is aligned to student preferences
D. Produces high scores
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Validity focuses on accuracy of measurement. An assessment is valid if it truly measures the
intended standard or learning outcome.
11. Parallel assessments are used to:
A. Increase grading speed
B. Compare students
C. Measure the same standard in different ways
D. Assign final grades
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Parallel assessments provide multiple opportunities to measure the same learning target while
maintaining consistency. They support reliability without repeating identical items.
12. Why are assessment blueprints important?
D184 WGU OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT 2026–2027 | 180+
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of standards-based assessment?
A. To rank students against one another
B. To average student performance over time
C. To measure mastery of clearly defined learning standards
D. To assign numerical grades for reporting
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Standards-based assessment exists to determine whether a learner has met specific learning
standards. This is supported by Marzano’s standards-based grading framework and WGU’s
competency-based model, which prioritizes mastery rather than comparison or averaging.
2. Which feature best distinguishes standards-based grading from traditional
grading?
A. Use of percentages
B. Focus on behavior and effort
C. Alignment of assessments to learning standards
D. Use of extra credit
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Traditional grading blends behavior, effort, and academics. Standards-based grading isolates
academic mastery and aligns assessments directly to standards, which is a foundational principle
taught in D184.
3. A proficiency scale is primarily used to:
, 2
A. Calculate student GPA
B. Compare students to peers
C. Describe levels of mastery of a standard
D. Assign letter grades
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Proficiency scales describe progressive mastery levels of a standard. They are descriptive tools,
not ranking or grading mechanisms. This aligns with Marzano’s 4-point proficiency model.
4. Which proficiency level typically indicates consistent independent mastery?
A. Level 1
B. Level 2
C. Level 3
D. Level 4
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Level 3 represents the target level of proficiency where students demonstrate consistent,
independent mastery of the standard. Level 4 indicates advanced or extended application, not
required mastery.
5. What is the primary role of a focus statement?
A. To define grading criteria
B. To describe instructional strategies
C. To clarify the intent of a learning standard
D. To assign point values
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Focus statements unpack the intent of a standard so teachers and students understand what
learning is expected. This ensures instructional and assessment alignment.
6. Measurement topics are best described as:
, 3
A. Broad curriculum goals
B. Observable skills aligned to standards
C. Student behavioral expectations
D. Instructional pacing guides
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Measurement topics break standards into assessable, observable skills. They define what
evidence of learning looks like and support reliable assessment design.
7. Which assessment type measures procedural knowledge?
A. Recall of definitions
B. Multiple-choice vocabulary tests
C. Demonstration of a skill or process
D. True or false quizzes
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Procedural knowledge involves performing a task or process. Demonstrations and performance
tasks directly measure procedural understanding, unlike recall-based assessments.
8. What does assessment alignment ensure?
A. Faster grading
B. Increased difficulty
C. Consistency between standards, instruction, and assessment
D. Higher student motivation
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Alignment ensures assessments measure what was taught and what the standards require. This
principle is central to validity in standards-based systems.
9. Reliability in assessment refers to:
, 4
A. Fairness of grading
B. Consistency of measurement results
C. Difficulty level
D. Student engagement
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Reliability concerns consistency. If an assessment produces similar results under similar
conditions, it is considered reliable. This is a core concept in educational measurement theory.
10. Validity in assessment means the assessment:
A. Is easy to grade
B. Measures what it claims to measure
C. Is aligned to student preferences
D. Produces high scores
Correct answer: B
Verified explanation:
Validity focuses on accuracy of measurement. An assessment is valid if it truly measures the
intended standard or learning outcome.
11. Parallel assessments are used to:
A. Increase grading speed
B. Compare students
C. Measure the same standard in different ways
D. Assign final grades
Correct answer: C
Verified explanation:
Parallel assessments provide multiple opportunities to measure the same learning target while
maintaining consistency. They support reliability without repeating identical items.
12. Why are assessment blueprints important?
