What is adaptive testing?

Adaptive testing refers to an assessment method that alters the difficulty level of questions presented to students based on their performance as they progress through the test. As a student answers questions correctly, the system will provide more challenging questions, whereas if a student answers incorrectly, the following questions will be easier. This approach offers a more personalized assessment experience, allowing for a more accurate measurement of a student's knowledge and skills.

This method is advantageous because it can efficiently determine a student's abilities without having to administer a one-size-fits-all test. It can lead to more engaging and motivating testing experiences, as students are less likely to be frustrated by questions that are too difficult or bored by those that are too easy.

In contrast, other choices emphasize different aspects of testing that do not align with the adaptive nature of this assessment method. For instance, using fixed questions applies a static format that does not adjust according to individual student needs, which is fundamentally different from adaptive testing. Similarly, focusing solely on multiple-choice questions limits the range of question types that can evaluate a student's understanding comprehensively. Lastly, requiring students to take tests without preparation does not relate to the adaptive capability of modifying the question difficulty based on real-time performance.