What type of tests are designed to measure students' understanding and retention of information?

Written tests are specifically designed to assess students' understanding and retention of information through structured questions that require written responses. These tests often consist of multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions which can effectively gauge a student's grasp of the material covered in a course.

Through written tests, educators can evaluate not only the memorization of facts but also the students' ability to apply concepts, analyze information, and articulate their understanding in written form. This formal assessment method allows for a standardized approach to evaluating knowledge across a group of students, providing clear metrics for understanding educational outcomes. Additionally, written tests can be easily graded and analyzed to identify patterns in student learning and areas where instruction may need to be adjusted.

Performance, practical, and oral tests, while valuable in their own right, primarily assess different competencies. Performance tests focus on executing specific skills, practical tests assess hands-on applications, and oral tests evaluate verbal communication and articulation of knowledge rather than just retention of written material.