Which type of tests are designed to measure a student's specific knowledge and skills?

Achievement tests are specifically designed to assess a student's knowledge and skills in relation to what they have learned in a particular subject or curriculum. They evaluate a student's proficiency and understanding of material that has been taught, often measuring the extent to which learning objectives have been met.

These tests typically align with educational standards and can cover a wide range of subjects, providing insight into how well a student grasps the concepts presented in their coursework. Because they focus on the knowledge and skills that are expected to have been acquired through instruction, achievement tests inform educators about a student's readiness to progress to more advanced material or to identify areas where further support may be needed.

The other types of tests serve different purposes: curriculum-based tests monitor student progress throughout the school year regarding the specific curriculum they are following; diagnostic tests identify specific learning needs and areas of difficulty; and standardized tests compare a student’s performance against a set standard or other test-takers. While all these tests measure aspects of student ability, achievement tests are particularly focused on the knowledge and skills a student is expected to have acquired through instruction.