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Unit 27 : Diagnostic Test : Concept and Construction, Remedial Teaching
students could not learn properly and why. The tests which are prepared to find out the causes of Notes
it are known as diagnostic tests. In other words, diagnostic tests are those tests by which the
hindrances and difficulties in the process of learning of a unit of subject matter of the students are
found out. On the basis of analysis of the obtained data from diagnostic tests, the weaknesses of
the students are identified and the remedial measures to be taken by the students, the teachers
and the guardians are found out. The diagnostic tests are useful only when the causes found are
removed. So long a diagnostic test is not concerned with remedial teaching or activity, it remains
incomplete.
The diagnostic test can be defined as follows :
The diagnostic test is the test which is constructed in order to find out the causes of failure of a
student or group of students in learning a particular part of subject matter taught to them and with
the help of which findings remedial suggestions are given.
In order to understand the form of diagnostic tests, it is essential that the difference among diagnostic
test, achievement test and action research is understood.
27.2 Objectives of Diagnostic Test
Following are the chief objectives of diagnostic tests :
1. To provide educational and vocational guidance to students and guardians on the basis of
traits realized from specific subject-related learning unit.
2. To make teaching-learning circumstances effective.
3. To make evaluation process more meaningful and effective.
4. To arrange for remedial teaching.
5. To give advice to a teacher for proper improvement in his teacher process.
6. To know about the weaknesses, deficiencies and difficulties of a student.
7. To assist in the selection of different tests, techniques and tools for knowing the causes related
to the problem.
8. To assist in the selection of different types of questions for the construction of different
achievement tests.
9. To amend textbooks of different subjects on the basis of the specific points and shortcomings
and to make them more useful for students.
27.3 Characteristics of Diagnostic Test
A diagnostic test should have the following characteristics in order to its beings useful for teachers
and students :
1. These tests are standardized, but some specialists opine that diagnostic tests should not be
standardized.
2. Time limit for these tests is not specified.
3. These tests form an essential part of the curriculum.
4. These tests reveal the form of mental process of a learner.
5. These tests are according to the specific objectives.
6. The basis of these tests is formed by such facts or norms which are established on the basis of
experiments.
7. These tests do not measure a child’s ability, but diagnose his weakness in order to provide for
remedy.
8. These tests are analytical and analyze all parts of a process fully.
9. Scores obtained by students are not attached any importance in these tests. They only see the
level of difficulty of questions which a student can solve.
10. These tests test the progress of a student objectively.
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