WGU D658 Planning Instructional Strategies for Meaningful
Learning OA V1 & V2 | Complete Practice QUESTIONs,
Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTION 1
A high school biology teacher utilizes a system of immediate positive
reinforcement, token economies, and structured drill-and-practice
worksheets to ensure students memorize cellular structures. Which
learning theory underpins this approach?
A. Constructivism
B. Behaviorism
C. Connectivism
D. Humanism
Correct Answer: B. Behaviorism
Detailed Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors
shaped through external stimuli, reinforcement, and repetitive drill-and-
practice routines.
QUESTION 2
According to Wiggins and McTighe's Backward Design model, what is
the correct sequence of the three planning stages?
A. Plan learning activities → Write learning objectives → Administer
final exam
,B. Identify desired results → Determine acceptable evidence → Plan
learning experiences and instruction
C. Select textbook chapters → Create daily homework → Design
summative project
D. Assess student baseline → Lecture for 45 minutes → Grade
assignments
Correct Answer: B. Identify desired results → Determine acceptable
evidence → Plan learning experiences and instruction
Detailed Rationale: Backward design begins with the end in mind by
first establishing learning goals (Stage 1), defining assessments (Stage
2), and finally planning instruction (Stage 3).
QUESTION 3
In Backward Design, what is the primary focus of Stage 2?
A. Designing daily homework worksheets and seating charts
B. Determining acceptable evidence of learning through formative and
summative assessments
C. Selecting educational videos for Friday afternoon class sessions
D. Reviewing school district budget constraints
Correct Answer: B. Determining acceptable evidence of learning
through formative and summative assessments
Detailed Rationale: Stage 2 identifies how teachers will collect evidence
to verify whether students achieved the desired understandings and
standards outlined in Stage 1.
QUESTION 4
,What is the primary purpose of diagnostic assessments administered
prior to a unit of instruction?
A. To assign final letter grades for report cards
B. To rank students against statewide peer percentiles
C. To identify students' prior knowledge, baseline skill levels, and
potential misconceptions
D. To replace daily lesson planning
Correct Answer: C. To identify students' prior knowledge, baseline skill
levels, and potential misconceptions
Detailed Rationale: Diagnostic assessments provide baseline data so
educators can tailor instruction and address existing learning gaps or
misconceptions before teaching new content.
QUESTION 5
How do formative assessments differ from summative assessments?
A. Formative assessments provide ongoing, low-stakes feedback during
learning to guide instruction, whereas summative assessments evaluate
final content mastery at the end of a unit.
B. Formative assessments are only graded by computers, while
summative assessments are graded by peers.
C. Formative assessments replace curriculum standards, while
summative assessments eliminate homework.
D. There is no structural or functional difference between formative and
summative assessments.
, Correct Answer: A. Formative assessments provide ongoing, low-stakes
feedback during learning to guide instruction, whereas summative
assessments evaluate final content mastery at the end of a unit.
Detailed Rationale:* Formative checks monitor progress during
instruction for real-time adjustment, while summative measures
evaluate cumulative achievement after instruction concludes.
QUESTION 6
Which assessment approach compares a student's current performance
against their own previous personal performance to measure individual
progress over time?
A. Norm-referenced assessment
B. Criterion-referenced assessment
C. Ipsative assessment
D. Standardized state board examination
Correct Answer: C. Ipsative assessment
Detailed Rationale:* Ipsative assessments measure personal growth by
evaluating a learner against their own historical baseline rather than
external peers or standards.
QUESTION 7
What distinguishes a criterion-referenced assessment from a norm-
referenced assessment?
A. Criterion-referenced tests measure performance against fixed,
predetermined standards, whereas norm-referenced tests compare
Learning OA V1 & V2 | Complete Practice QUESTIONs,
Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTION 1
A high school biology teacher utilizes a system of immediate positive
reinforcement, token economies, and structured drill-and-practice
worksheets to ensure students memorize cellular structures. Which
learning theory underpins this approach?
A. Constructivism
B. Behaviorism
C. Connectivism
D. Humanism
Correct Answer: B. Behaviorism
Detailed Rationale: Behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors
shaped through external stimuli, reinforcement, and repetitive drill-and-
practice routines.
QUESTION 2
According to Wiggins and McTighe's Backward Design model, what is
the correct sequence of the three planning stages?
A. Plan learning activities → Write learning objectives → Administer
final exam
,B. Identify desired results → Determine acceptable evidence → Plan
learning experiences and instruction
C. Select textbook chapters → Create daily homework → Design
summative project
D. Assess student baseline → Lecture for 45 minutes → Grade
assignments
Correct Answer: B. Identify desired results → Determine acceptable
evidence → Plan learning experiences and instruction
Detailed Rationale: Backward design begins with the end in mind by
first establishing learning goals (Stage 1), defining assessments (Stage
2), and finally planning instruction (Stage 3).
QUESTION 3
In Backward Design, what is the primary focus of Stage 2?
A. Designing daily homework worksheets and seating charts
B. Determining acceptable evidence of learning through formative and
summative assessments
C. Selecting educational videos for Friday afternoon class sessions
D. Reviewing school district budget constraints
Correct Answer: B. Determining acceptable evidence of learning
through formative and summative assessments
Detailed Rationale: Stage 2 identifies how teachers will collect evidence
to verify whether students achieved the desired understandings and
standards outlined in Stage 1.
QUESTION 4
,What is the primary purpose of diagnostic assessments administered
prior to a unit of instruction?
A. To assign final letter grades for report cards
B. To rank students against statewide peer percentiles
C. To identify students' prior knowledge, baseline skill levels, and
potential misconceptions
D. To replace daily lesson planning
Correct Answer: C. To identify students' prior knowledge, baseline skill
levels, and potential misconceptions
Detailed Rationale: Diagnostic assessments provide baseline data so
educators can tailor instruction and address existing learning gaps or
misconceptions before teaching new content.
QUESTION 5
How do formative assessments differ from summative assessments?
A. Formative assessments provide ongoing, low-stakes feedback during
learning to guide instruction, whereas summative assessments evaluate
final content mastery at the end of a unit.
B. Formative assessments are only graded by computers, while
summative assessments are graded by peers.
C. Formative assessments replace curriculum standards, while
summative assessments eliminate homework.
D. There is no structural or functional difference between formative and
summative assessments.
, Correct Answer: A. Formative assessments provide ongoing, low-stakes
feedback during learning to guide instruction, whereas summative
assessments evaluate final content mastery at the end of a unit.
Detailed Rationale:* Formative checks monitor progress during
instruction for real-time adjustment, while summative measures
evaluate cumulative achievement after instruction concludes.
QUESTION 6
Which assessment approach compares a student's current performance
against their own previous personal performance to measure individual
progress over time?
A. Norm-referenced assessment
B. Criterion-referenced assessment
C. Ipsative assessment
D. Standardized state board examination
Correct Answer: C. Ipsative assessment
Detailed Rationale:* Ipsative assessments measure personal growth by
evaluating a learner against their own historical baseline rather than
external peers or standards.
QUESTION 7
What distinguishes a criterion-referenced assessment from a norm-
referenced assessment?
A. Criterion-referenced tests measure performance against fixed,
predetermined standards, whereas norm-referenced tests compare
