WGU D187 ACTUAL ASSESSMENT PAPER
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ How is a narrative-based system different than a standards-based
grading system?
The narrative grading system uses proficiency scores to a great
extent, but the standards-based grading system does not.
The standards-based grading system uses proficiency scores, but the
narrative grading system does not.
The narrative grading system is used to determine proficiency
scores for written tasks, while the standards-based system is used
for other performance tasks.
The standards-based system is used to report state-level proficiency
scores, while the narrative grading system is used for informal
evaluations.
Answer: The standards-based grading system uses proficiency
scores, but the narrative grading system does not.
◉ Which factor distinguishes norm-referenced grading from
standards-based grading?
,Grade point average (GPA)
Performance of the rest of the class
Definition of grading standards
State accountability standards
Answer: Performance of the rest of the class
◉ What is a benefit of using standards-based grading compared to
norm-referenced grading?
Standards-based grading provides more feedback than norm-
referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is more open to adjustments in instruction
than norm-referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is easier for score users to understand
than norm-referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is more focused on the learning targets
than norm-referenced grading.
Answer: Standards-based grading is more focused on the learning
targets than norm-referenced grading.
◉ Why do teachers only grade student work related to the
achievement of learning targets in standards-based grading
systems?
,Behaviors like participation and attendance are too subjective to
grade.
Behaviors like participation and attendance are not as important as
learning targets.
Teachers are able to help students focus on learning goals and track
their progress.
Teachers are able to assign more assessments and provide more
frequent feedback.
Answer: Teachers are able to help students focus on learning goals
and track their progress.
◉ A grading scale reflects the following details:
4 achievement levels — Advanced
3 achievement levels — Meets expectations
2 achievement levels — Partial mastery1 achievement level — Little
or no mastery
Which grading system does this grading scale represent?
Norm-referenced grading
Standards-based grading
Criterion-referenced grading
Percentage-based grading
, Answer: Standards-based grading
◉ How do standards-based grading systems support struggling
students compared to other common grading systems?
By giving fewer summative assessments
By focusing on positive feedback rather than negative feedback
By allowing students to redo lessons and assignments as many times
as necessary
By providing many easy-to-master assignments
Answer: By allowing students to redo lessons and assignments as
many times as necessary
◉ What is one difference between using criterion-referenced scoring
in standards-based grading systems as opposed to using norm-
referenced scoring?
Criterion-referenced scoring is easier to use when determining class
rank than norm-referenced scoring.
Criterion-referenced scoring is not used on standardized tests, while
norm-referenced scoring is.
Criterion-referenced scoring uses standards that are easier to adjust
than those used in norm-referenced scoring.
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ How is a narrative-based system different than a standards-based
grading system?
The narrative grading system uses proficiency scores to a great
extent, but the standards-based grading system does not.
The standards-based grading system uses proficiency scores, but the
narrative grading system does not.
The narrative grading system is used to determine proficiency
scores for written tasks, while the standards-based system is used
for other performance tasks.
The standards-based system is used to report state-level proficiency
scores, while the narrative grading system is used for informal
evaluations.
Answer: The standards-based grading system uses proficiency
scores, but the narrative grading system does not.
◉ Which factor distinguishes norm-referenced grading from
standards-based grading?
,Grade point average (GPA)
Performance of the rest of the class
Definition of grading standards
State accountability standards
Answer: Performance of the rest of the class
◉ What is a benefit of using standards-based grading compared to
norm-referenced grading?
Standards-based grading provides more feedback than norm-
referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is more open to adjustments in instruction
than norm-referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is easier for score users to understand
than norm-referenced grading.
Standards-based grading is more focused on the learning targets
than norm-referenced grading.
Answer: Standards-based grading is more focused on the learning
targets than norm-referenced grading.
◉ Why do teachers only grade student work related to the
achievement of learning targets in standards-based grading
systems?
,Behaviors like participation and attendance are too subjective to
grade.
Behaviors like participation and attendance are not as important as
learning targets.
Teachers are able to help students focus on learning goals and track
their progress.
Teachers are able to assign more assessments and provide more
frequent feedback.
Answer: Teachers are able to help students focus on learning goals
and track their progress.
◉ A grading scale reflects the following details:
4 achievement levels — Advanced
3 achievement levels — Meets expectations
2 achievement levels — Partial mastery1 achievement level — Little
or no mastery
Which grading system does this grading scale represent?
Norm-referenced grading
Standards-based grading
Criterion-referenced grading
Percentage-based grading
, Answer: Standards-based grading
◉ How do standards-based grading systems support struggling
students compared to other common grading systems?
By giving fewer summative assessments
By focusing on positive feedback rather than negative feedback
By allowing students to redo lessons and assignments as many times
as necessary
By providing many easy-to-master assignments
Answer: By allowing students to redo lessons and assignments as
many times as necessary
◉ What is one difference between using criterion-referenced scoring
in standards-based grading systems as opposed to using norm-
referenced scoring?
Criterion-referenced scoring is easier to use when determining class
rank than norm-referenced scoring.
Criterion-referenced scoring is not used on standardized tests, while
norm-referenced scoring is.
Criterion-referenced scoring uses standards that are easier to adjust
than those used in norm-referenced scoring.
