WGU WGU — D184 Assessment
ABS · 481D
D184 Standards-Based Assessment & Grading — Complete Study Guide
ASSESS A N E W K I N D O F U — E V I D E N C E - B A S E D E D U C AT I O N
WGU D184 — Standards-Based Assessment Study Guide
CO M P L E T E Q U E ST I O N S & V E R I F I E D A N S W E RS | 1 1 7 Q U E ST I O N S | CO M P R E H E N S I V E
EXAM REVIEW
INSTITUTION Western Governors University COURSE CODE D184 — Standards-Based
(WGU) Assessment
PROGRAM M.S. Curriculum & Instruction / ACADEMIC YEAR
Educational Leadership
EXAM TITLE WGU D184 — Standards-Based TOTAL QUESTIONS 117 Questions
Assessment Study Guide |
Complete Questions & Verified
Answers
COURSE TITLE Standards-Based Assessment & FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False —
Grading Systems Select the Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover SBG fundamentals, proficiency scales, assessment design, parallel assessments,
scoring methods, mounting evidence, mathematical models, and blueprint development.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ Content aligned with WGU D184 curriculum, Marzano framework, and best practices in standards-based
assessment.
, SECTION I — STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT
Questions 1 – 117
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
1. How would you describe standards-based grading systems?
A. A system that averages all grades into a final percentage
B. A standard of grading that tracks student progress towards and achievement of learning
targets derived from educational standards, with grades reflecting mastery measured
on proficiency scales
C. A system that compares students to each other using percentiles
D. A pass/fail system based on attendance
CORRECT ANSWER B — A standard of grading that tracks student progress towards and
achievement of learning targets derived from educational standards, with
grades reflecting mastery measured on proficiency scales
RATIONALE Standards-based grading is fundamentally defined by its focus on measuring
student progress toward specific learning targets derived from academic
standards. Rather than averaging points or comparing students to peers, SBG
uses proficiency scales to describe what students know and can do relative to
clearly defined criteria. This definition captures the essence of SBG as a
criterion-referenced, learning-centered assessment system.
,2. Which characteristics apply to standards-based grading? (Select all that apply)
A. Scores are reflected on proficiency scales
B. Grades reflect student mastery of a learning target
C. Teachers tailor instruction based on student achievement
D. Grades are calculated as percentages of points earned
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, and C — Scores are reflected on proficiency scales; Grades reflect
student mastery of a learning target; Teachers tailor instruction based on
student achievement
RATIONALE Three defining characteristics of SBG: (1) Proficiency scales replace percentage
scores — students receive ratings like 1-4 describing their level of mastery. (2)
Grades directly reflect mastery of specific learning targets rather than an
accumulation of points. (3) Teachers use proficiency data to differentiate and
tailor instruction to individual student needs. Percentage calculations (Option
D) describe traditional, not standards-based, grading.
3. A grading system based on the percentage average of all grades or holistic grades
describes which type of system?
A. Standards-based grading system
B. Traditional grading system
C. Norm-referenced system only
D. Criterion-referenced system only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Traditional grading system
RATIONALE Traditional grading calculates final grades by averaging all assignment scores
(often including nonacademic factors like participation and homework
completion) into a single percentage or letter grade. This holistic approach
obscures specific strengths and weaknesses across different learning targets.
Standards-based grading, in contrast, reports proficiency on each standard
separately, providing more detailed information about what students have and
have not mastered.
, 4. A grading system based on different proficiency levels of standards describes which type
of system?
A. Traditional grading system
B. Standards-based grading system
C. Norm-referenced grading system
D. Mastery learning system
CORRECT ANSWER B — Standards-based grading system
RATIONALE Standards-based grading is defined by its use of proficiency levels (typically 1-4)
tied to specific standards. Each standard or measurement topic receives its own
proficiency rating, providing a detailed profile of student achievement rather
than a single averaged grade. This multi-dimensional reporting allows students,
parents, and teachers to identify specific areas of strength and needed growth.
5. A single grade given per course on report cards describes which type of grading system?
A. Standards-based grading system
B. Traditional grading system
C. Competency-based system
D. Proficiency-based system
CORRECT ANSWER B — Traditional grading system
RATIONALE Traditional report cards typically display a single composite grade per subject
(e.g., "Math: B" or "Science: 85%"), collapsing all standards and skills into one
indicator. Standards-based report cards, in contrast, provide separate
proficiency ratings for each measurement topic within a subject, offering
significantly more detailed information about student learning.
ABS · 481D
D184 Standards-Based Assessment & Grading — Complete Study Guide
ASSESS A N E W K I N D O F U — E V I D E N C E - B A S E D E D U C AT I O N
WGU D184 — Standards-Based Assessment Study Guide
CO M P L E T E Q U E ST I O N S & V E R I F I E D A N S W E RS | 1 1 7 Q U E ST I O N S | CO M P R E H E N S I V E
EXAM REVIEW
INSTITUTION Western Governors University COURSE CODE D184 — Standards-Based
(WGU) Assessment
PROGRAM M.S. Curriculum & Instruction / ACADEMIC YEAR
Educational Leadership
EXAM TITLE WGU D184 — Standards-Based TOTAL QUESTIONS 117 Questions
Assessment Study Guide |
Complete Questions & Verified
Answers
COURSE TITLE Standards-Based Assessment & FORMAT Multiple Choice / True-False —
Grading Systems Select the Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Questions cover SBG fundamentals, proficiency scales, assessment design, parallel assessments,
scoring methods, mounting evidence, mathematical models, and blueprint development.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales appear below each question.
▸ Content aligned with WGU D184 curriculum, Marzano framework, and best practices in standards-based
assessment.
, SECTION I — STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT
Questions 1 – 117
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
1. How would you describe standards-based grading systems?
A. A system that averages all grades into a final percentage
B. A standard of grading that tracks student progress towards and achievement of learning
targets derived from educational standards, with grades reflecting mastery measured
on proficiency scales
C. A system that compares students to each other using percentiles
D. A pass/fail system based on attendance
CORRECT ANSWER B — A standard of grading that tracks student progress towards and
achievement of learning targets derived from educational standards, with
grades reflecting mastery measured on proficiency scales
RATIONALE Standards-based grading is fundamentally defined by its focus on measuring
student progress toward specific learning targets derived from academic
standards. Rather than averaging points or comparing students to peers, SBG
uses proficiency scales to describe what students know and can do relative to
clearly defined criteria. This definition captures the essence of SBG as a
criterion-referenced, learning-centered assessment system.
,2. Which characteristics apply to standards-based grading? (Select all that apply)
A. Scores are reflected on proficiency scales
B. Grades reflect student mastery of a learning target
C. Teachers tailor instruction based on student achievement
D. Grades are calculated as percentages of points earned
CORRECT ANSWER A, B, and C — Scores are reflected on proficiency scales; Grades reflect
student mastery of a learning target; Teachers tailor instruction based on
student achievement
RATIONALE Three defining characteristics of SBG: (1) Proficiency scales replace percentage
scores — students receive ratings like 1-4 describing their level of mastery. (2)
Grades directly reflect mastery of specific learning targets rather than an
accumulation of points. (3) Teachers use proficiency data to differentiate and
tailor instruction to individual student needs. Percentage calculations (Option
D) describe traditional, not standards-based, grading.
3. A grading system based on the percentage average of all grades or holistic grades
describes which type of system?
A. Standards-based grading system
B. Traditional grading system
C. Norm-referenced system only
D. Criterion-referenced system only
CORRECT ANSWER B — Traditional grading system
RATIONALE Traditional grading calculates final grades by averaging all assignment scores
(often including nonacademic factors like participation and homework
completion) into a single percentage or letter grade. This holistic approach
obscures specific strengths and weaknesses across different learning targets.
Standards-based grading, in contrast, reports proficiency on each standard
separately, providing more detailed information about what students have and
have not mastered.
, 4. A grading system based on different proficiency levels of standards describes which type
of system?
A. Traditional grading system
B. Standards-based grading system
C. Norm-referenced grading system
D. Mastery learning system
CORRECT ANSWER B — Standards-based grading system
RATIONALE Standards-based grading is defined by its use of proficiency levels (typically 1-4)
tied to specific standards. Each standard or measurement topic receives its own
proficiency rating, providing a detailed profile of student achievement rather
than a single averaged grade. This multi-dimensional reporting allows students,
parents, and teachers to identify specific areas of strength and needed growth.
5. A single grade given per course on report cards describes which type of grading system?
A. Standards-based grading system
B. Traditional grading system
C. Competency-based system
D. Proficiency-based system
CORRECT ANSWER B — Traditional grading system
RATIONALE Traditional report cards typically display a single composite grade per subject
(e.g., "Math: B" or "Science: 85%"), collapsing all standards and skills into one
indicator. Standards-based report cards, in contrast, provide separate
proficiency ratings for each measurement topic within a subject, offering
significantly more detailed information about student learning.
