Plain English Meaning

The familiar style of testing where students answer set questions that have one right answer, and the score is based on how many they got right.

Full Definition

A method of measuring student learning that relies on objectively scored tests, typically using multiple-choice, true/false, matching, or fill-in-the-blank questions, in which each item has a single correct answer determined in advance.

Context Anchor

Seen in flight instructor training when comparing different ways to check a learner’s understanding and progress.

Derivation

‘Traditional’ comes from the Latin traditio, meaning ‘a handing down.’ It refers to the long-established way assessments have been done — pencil-and-paper tests with fixed right and wrong answers — as opposed to newer styles like performance-based or collaborative assessment.