What is a diagnostic assessment used for?

A diagnostic assessment is specifically designed to identify students' strengths and weaknesses prior to instruction. This type of assessment allows educators to gain insights into students’ prior knowledge, skills, and areas where they may need additional support. By understanding each student’s capabilities and challenges, teachers can tailor their instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs and enhance student learning from the outset.

The other options reflect different purposes of assessment but do not align with the primary focus of diagnostic assessments. Measuring final performance pertains to summative assessments, which evaluate what students have learned at the end of an instructional period. Evaluating the effectiveness of teaching strategies relates to formative assessments, which involve ongoing assessment methods to inform instructional adjustments. Comparing student performance against national standards pertains to benchmark or standardized assessments, which assess how well students perform relative to broader educational expectations.