What does the expression “Use tests in a purposeful manner” mean?
Assessment instruments, like other tools, can be extremely helpful when used properly, but counter¬productive when used inappropriately. Often inappropriate use stems from not having a clear understanding of what you want to measure and why you want to measure it. Having a clear understanding of the purpose of your assessment system is important in selecting the appropriate assessment tools to meet that purpose. This brings us to an important principle of assessment – it’s critical to have a clear understanding of what needs to be measured and for what purpose. Assessment strategies should be developed with a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills, abilities, characteristics, or personal traits you want to measure.
