Which of these assessments are considered part of the formal assessment category?

• A. Interviews
• B. Questionnaires
• C. Essays
• D. Surveys

Answer: (C)

Essays are categorized as a formal assessment because they require students to demonstrate their understanding of a subject through structured writing. Formal assessments are designed to measure a student's knowledge and skills in relation to specific content standards. An essay typically has defined criteria for evaluation, such as clarity of thought, organization, argumentation, and evidence, which allows for objective grading. This structured approach stands in contrast to more informal assessments, which may not have standardized scoring or may rely more on subjective interpretation.

Interviews, questionnaires, and surveys, while useful for gathering information, typically serve as informal assessments or tools for gaining insights rather than measuring student performance against set standards. They often lack the same level of rigor and systematic evaluation found in formal assessments like essays. Hence, essays fulfill the criteria of a formal assessment due to their structured nature and their role in evaluating a student's comprehension and ability to communicate effectively.