Assessment Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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assessment

[ษ™หˆsษ›smษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

education

The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

Synonyms

analysis, appraisal, evaluation, judgment.

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Word Description / Examples
assessment

Used in educational and professional settings to describe the process of measuring someone's knowledge, skills, or performance.

  • The teacher's assessment of the students' essays took several hours
  • An environmental assessment is required before constructing the new building
evaluation

Generally refers to the process of determining the value, significance, or condition of something, often in educational and healthcare settings.

  • The evaluation of the new teaching methods showed positive results
  • A detailed evaluation of the patient's condition is necessary before starting treatment
appraisal

Commonly used in real estate and human resources to describe the evaluation of property value or an employee's performance.

  • The house appraisal was higher than expected
  • During the annual appraisal, employees discuss their achievements and future goals
analysis

Involves a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, often used in scientific, financial, and technical contexts.

  • The chemical analysis revealed the presence of toxic substances
  • A thorough market analysis is needed before launching the new product
judgment

Refers to forming an opinion or conclusion about something, often involves personal opinions and decision-making, and can have a negative connotation if perceived as overly critical.

  • Her judgment of the situation was crucial to the company's decision
  • The judgmental tone in his voice made her feel uneasy

Examples of usage

  • The assessment of the students' performance was based on a variety of factors.
  • The company conducted an assessment of the market before launching their new product.
Context #2 | Noun

tax

The amount of tax due.

Synonyms

charge, levy, tax bill.

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Word Description / Examples
assessment

Used in the context of evaluating value, performance, or understanding, often in educational or financial scenarios.

  • The teacherโ€™s final assessment will determine the student's grade
  • The property assessment came in much higher than expected
levy

Typically used in legal and financial contexts to describe the act of imposing a tax, fee, or fine.

  • The government plans to levy new taxes on imported goods
  • They levied a hefty fine for violating the regulations
charge

Usually refers to an amount of money required for a service or item. It can also refer to accusations in legal contexts.

  • There is a service charge for using the premium features of the app
  • He faced multiple charges of theft

Examples of usage

  • The assessment for property tax increased this year.
  • The government sent out assessments to all citizens.
Context #3 | Noun

psychology

The process of evaluating a person's psychological traits, attitudes, and behavior.

Synonyms

behavioral analysis, personality assessment, psychological evaluation.

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Word Description / Examples
assessment

Used in general contexts to evaluate someone's skills, knowledge, or performance in various fields such as education, job performance, or healthcare.

  • The final assessment for the course will be next Friday.
  • We need a financial assessment of the project.
psychological evaluation

A more comprehensive and formal process than personality assessment, used to diagnose mental health conditions and understand psychological functioning. Often involves multiple tests.

  • A psychological evaluation was required to determine his fitness for duty.
  • The child was referred for a psychological evaluation to assess learning disabilities.
personality assessment

Specific to psychology, used to understand an individual's personality traits, characteristics, and patterns. Can involve various tests and questionnaires.

  • Before joining the team, applicants will undergo a personality assessment.
  • The personality assessment revealed new insights about his character.
behavioral analysis

Used in psychology and behavioral sciences to study and understand patterns of behavior. Often involves observing and interpreting actions.

  • The therapist conducted a behavioral analysis to help understand the child's actions.
  • Behavioral analysis is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies.

Examples of usage

  • The psychological assessment revealed important insights into the patient's mental health.
  • The assessment included both interviews and standardized tests.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Education

  • There are many types of assessments: formative (ongoing checks like quizzes) and summative (final tests at the end of a unit).
  • Rubrics are often used in assessments to set clear criteria, helping both teachers and students understand expectations.
  • Standardized assessments are designed to measure student performance across different regions to ensure fairness and consistency.

Psychology

  • Assessments can reveal not just knowledge but also learning styles, strengths, and areas that need improvement.
  • The concept of formative assessment aligns with theories of growth mindset, emphasizing that abilities can improve with practice.
  • Peer assessments encourage collaboration and help students learn from each other's perspectives.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures may emphasize assessments in unique ways, with some focusing more on collaborative learning than standardized tests.
  • In some educational systems, assessments are part of a holistic approach, integrating social and emotional learning.
  • Certain societies value informal assessments, like discussions and group projects, over traditional exams.

Technology

  • Digital assessments have become popular, allowing for instant feedback and a variety of question types, like interactive quizzes.
  • Educational technologies enable adaptive testing, tailoring difficulties based on the individual studentโ€™s responses.
  • Gamification in assessments turns evaluations into engaging activities, making the process more enjoyable for students.

Origin of 'assessment'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'assessare,' meaning to sit beside, indicating a process of evaluating or examining closely.
  • In the 14th century, it was used in legal contexts to mean determining the value of a property.
  • The modern use evolved in the 19th century in educational settings to gauge students' abilities.

The word 'assessment' dates back to the late 15th century, deriving from the Old French word 'assesser'. It originally meant 'to charge a tax' and later evolved to include the idea of evaluation or estimation. Over the centuries, 'assessment' has become a common term in various fields such as education, finance, and psychology.


See also: assess, assessable, assessably, assessed, assessing, assessingly, assessments, assessor, reassess, reassessment.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,379, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.