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

What characteristic best defines holistic scoring?

1. Scores reflect evaluation of multiple choices

2. Scores reflect the overall quality of student work

3. Scores compare students within a peer group

4. Scores provide detailed feedback for improvement

The correct answer is: Scores reflect the overall quality of student work

Holistic scoring is best defined by its focus on assessing the overall quality of student work rather than breaking it down into individual components or criteria. This approach allows evaluators to consider the work as a whole, capturing the essence of what the student has produced. When using holistic scoring, the evaluator assigns a single score that encapsulates various aspects such as understanding, creativity, coherence, and effectiveness in communication. In this scoring method, each response is viewed in its entirety, which provides a more integrated perspective on the student’s capabilities. This is particularly useful in contexts like writing, where elements such as content, organization, and style intertwine to contribute to the overall impression of the piece. Although detailed feedback is certainly valuable for student improvement, holistic scoring intentionally prioritizes the collective impact of the work over a breakdown of specific criteria, making it a distinct evaluation method.