A developmentally organized sequence is a hallmark of which assessment type?

• A. Norm-referenced
• B. Criterion-referenced
• C. Dynamic
• D. Informal assessments

Answer: (B)

Criterion-referenced assessments are designed to measure mastery of specific skills that appear along a defined developmental sequence. Items are arranged from simpler to more complex ways a child would typically develop the skill, so the clinician can see exactly which milestones have been reached. Scoring focuses on whether the child can perform each skill at the required level, not on how the child compares to peers. This developmental ordering is what makes them well suited to track progress along a growth continuum.

Norm-referenced tests compare a child’s performance to a normative sample and yield percentile ranks or standard scores, which centers on peer comparison rather than whether individual skills are mastered. Dynamic assessment emphasizes learning potential and how performance improves with guided support, rather than a fixed sequence of skills. Informal assessments are flexible and context-driven but don’t inherently rely on a standardized developmental progression.