National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Test

Which best defines holistic scoring?

1. Indicates overall level of proficiency

2. Levels of proficiency for multiple criteria

3. Provides specific feedback for improvement

4. Students receive a percentile rank

The correct answer is: Indicates overall level of proficiency

Holistic scoring is a method used to evaluate student performance by providing an overall judgment of their work rather than assessing individual components or criteria separately. This approach focuses on the general characteristics and quality of the work, which means that the scoring reflects an overarching level of proficiency. By using holistic scoring, educators are able to capture the essence of the work, integrating various factors such as content understanding, organization, and creativity into a single score that represents a comprehensive evaluation. This method is particularly useful in contexts where the integration of skills plays a critical role in the assessment, such as writing or project-based learning. In contrast to options that emphasize detailed criteria, feedback for improvement, or specific rankings, holistic scoring gives a broad view that can be more effective in certain educational settings where a general understanding of a student's capabilities is prioritized over a breakdown of specific skills.