Diagnostic Test, First Step Forming Targeted Learning

What is a diagnostic test? (Pixabay)

YOGYAKARTA - What is a diagnostic test? Diagnostic tests are an important method that can help teachers understand and overcome learning difficulties from the start. In the educational process, each student has various abilities and styles of learning.

Often, there are some students who find it difficult to understand certain materials. Therefore, teachers are required to master effective methods to understand and identify learning constraints in students. Thus, students can be helped and find comfort in learning.

Quoted from the Study Result Test book compiled by Prof. Dr. Yusrizal, M. Pd, Rahmati, M. Pd (2020: 21), diagnostic tests can be defined as tests commonly used to identify students' strengths and weaknesses.

The diagnostic test can be used and it aims to get answers to the question, "Can students already be able to explore knowledge that is the basis or basis for being able to accept further knowledge?"

Diagnostic tests are one of the tools that is useful for finding learning difficulties that students are facing. This test will diagnose students' difficulties in learning, detect the causes, and determine how to deal with these difficulties.

There are several diagnostic testing characteristics, namely:

Meanwhile, examples of using diagnostic tests in class can vary. For example, in class 6 math lessons on fractions, a teacher provides a simple diagnostic test with questions that measure the basic understanding of students' fractions.

From the test results, the teacher found that there were several students who did not understand the concept of division and sequestration needed for fractional materials. With these results, teachers can design remedials that focus on basic operations before forwarding to more complex materials.

Diagnostic tests are divided into two types, including non-cognitive diagnostic tests and cognitive diagnostic tests.

Non-cognitive diagnostic tests are tests given to find out students' psychological and emotional conditions before starting learning. This test is also carried out to determine students' learning activities while at home, family conditions and student relationships, learning style, character, and student interest in learning.

In its implementation, non-cognitive diagnostic tests are divided into three stages, namely preparation, implementation, and follow-up.

In addition, the implementation of non-cognitive diagnostic tests also requires the skills of teachers in asking questions and making questions. Because, not all students can convey detailed information, especially those related to their personal lives, such as family conditions and their relationship with their parents or friends.

A cognitive diagnostic test is a diagnostic test given to understand the basic abilities of students in the subject of a subject. This test can be given regularly, when teachers introduce a new learning topic or after finishing explaining and discussing a topic commonly referred to as a formative assessment.

Cognitive diagnostic tests can also be given in the middle or end of the semester in the form of a test known as a sumative assessment.

This test is not to pursue curriculum targets, but to adjust learning levels to students' abilities.

In its implementation, this cognitive diagnostic test is carried out in four stages, including preparation, implementation, diagnosis, and follow-up.

Such are the reviews of what diagnostic tests are, the characteristics of testing, and their types. Hopefully this information will be useful! Visit VOI.id to get other interesting information.