D659 WGU - Assessing and Monitoring Student
Learning | Expert Strategies, Review of 62+ Key
Quizzes, and Practice Questions for
Guaranteed Success (2026/2027)
This D659 Assessing and Monitoring Student Learning at WGU covers formative and summative
assessment design, data-driven instruction, and student feedback strategies. The course involves a
Performance Assessment (PA) requiring task-based feedback and an Objective Assessment (OA)
focused on selecting appropriate assessments for learning goals, often featuring scenario-based
questions.
Exam Description and Structure
• Course Goal: Equips educators to measure student progress, align assessments with standards,
and use data to guide instruction.
• Objective Assessment (OA): A proctored, multiple-choice exam focusing on identifying the
correct assessment type (formative vs. summative) for specific learning scenarios.
• Performance Assessment (PA): Requires completing tasks, such as providing written
feedback on student work samples (e.g., perimeter/area tasks).
• Key Topics: Formative vs. Summative Assessments, Assessment Alignment, Data Analysis,
Feedback Strategies, and Digital Assessment Tools.
• Key Concepts and Exam Questions (2025-2026)
• Assessment Selection: When choosing an assessment, teachers should first consider the
purpose of the assessment.
• Formative Examples: Exit tickets, quizzes, think-pair-share, and observations are used to
monitor progress during instruction.
• Summative Examples: Final projects or end-of-unit tests designed to measure mastery.
• Digital Tools: Edpuzzle and Flipgrid are common tools mentioned for video-based interaction.
• Scenario Question: To monitor progress in a creative writing unit, an effective assessment is
having students write several sentences describing an original character as an exit ticket.
• Data Analysis: Pre-assessments are used to identify student weaknesses before starting a new
unit.
Preparation Tips
1
, • Focus on PA/OA Alignment: The Reddit community indicates the OA closely matches the
Pre-Assessment (PA) and course lesson tests. (this guide offers both)
• Understand Scenarios: This exam focuses heavily on applying definitions (e.g., knowing when
to use informal vs. formal assessment) rather than just memorizing them.
• Feedback Strategy: Practice providing constructive feedback to improve student learning
outcomes
Q1. How does progress monitoring support individual student growth over time? [Short Answer]
Answer: To track an individual student’s learning over time, identifying growth patterns and
areas that need more support so instruction can be adjusted.
Explanation: Progress monitoring involves repeated measurements of a single student’s performance
across time. This longitudinal view reveals whether interventions are working and where targeted support
is needed, unlike one-off tests that only capture a single moment.
Q2. Why are standardized tests used to compare performance across a larger population?
[Short Answer]
Answer: Because they measure performance under controlled conditions against predetermined
standards, enabling comparison of results across a broad population.
Explanation: Standardized tests use uniform administration and scoring so results are comparable across
students and settings. That standardization allows educators and policymakers to benchmark performance
at scale and detect larger patterns or gaps.
Q3. Which description best fits standardized tests? [Multiple Choice]
A) To evaluate student performance against a predetermined standard to compare across a
larger population
B) To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas needing
additional support
C) To measure student progress against their own previous performance rather than against
external standards
D) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
Answer: To evaluate student performance against a predetermined standard to compare across
a larger population
Explanation: Standardized assessments are administered under controlled conditions and measure
performance against predefined standards so results can be compared across many students or groups.
They are not primarily about comparing a student to peers (norm-referenced), tracking an individual's
progress over time, or assessing against a teacher’s classroom objectives (criterion-referenced focuses on
specific learning objectives rather than broad population comparisons).
2
, Q4. Which purpose best describes progress monitoring? [Multiple Choice]
A) To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas
needing additional support
B) To evaluate student performance against specific benchmarks or standards in order to gauge
overall progress
C) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
D) To compare individual student performance to that of a normative group to determine
relative standing
Answer: To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas
needing additional support
Explanation: Progress monitoring focuses on tracking a single student’s learning trajectory over time so
teachers can spot growth trends or areas needing intervention. It is not primarily a snapshot against
standards (benchmark), an end-of-unit judgment (summative), or a comparison with a larger population
(norm-referenced). Progress monitoring emphasizes frequent measurement and adjustment based on
individual progress.
Q5. Which statement best defines performance tasks? [Multiple Choice]
A) Performance tasks are hands-on activities that assess students' ability to apply their
knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios
B) Portfolio assessment involves the collection and evaluation of student work samples over time
C) Digital assessment tools leverage technology to create interactive assessments that engage
students and provide immediate feedback
D) Observations involve systematically watching and recording student behavior, interactions,
and performance in various learning contexts
Answer: Performance tasks are hands-on activities that assess students' ability to apply their
knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios
Explanation: Performance tasks require students to perform or produce work that demonstrates
application, problem-solving, and real-world skills rather than selecting answers on a paper test. They
emphasize higher-order thinking and authentic application. They differ from portfolios (which collect work
over time), observations (which record behavior and interactions), and standardized tests (which are
administered under controlled conditions for broad comparisons).
Q6. Which best describes a criterion-referenced assessment? [Multiple Choice]
A) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
B) To compare individual student performance to that of a normative group to determine
relative standing
3
Learning | Expert Strategies, Review of 62+ Key
Quizzes, and Practice Questions for
Guaranteed Success (2026/2027)
This D659 Assessing and Monitoring Student Learning at WGU covers formative and summative
assessment design, data-driven instruction, and student feedback strategies. The course involves a
Performance Assessment (PA) requiring task-based feedback and an Objective Assessment (OA)
focused on selecting appropriate assessments for learning goals, often featuring scenario-based
questions.
Exam Description and Structure
• Course Goal: Equips educators to measure student progress, align assessments with standards,
and use data to guide instruction.
• Objective Assessment (OA): A proctored, multiple-choice exam focusing on identifying the
correct assessment type (formative vs. summative) for specific learning scenarios.
• Performance Assessment (PA): Requires completing tasks, such as providing written
feedback on student work samples (e.g., perimeter/area tasks).
• Key Topics: Formative vs. Summative Assessments, Assessment Alignment, Data Analysis,
Feedback Strategies, and Digital Assessment Tools.
• Key Concepts and Exam Questions (2025-2026)
• Assessment Selection: When choosing an assessment, teachers should first consider the
purpose of the assessment.
• Formative Examples: Exit tickets, quizzes, think-pair-share, and observations are used to
monitor progress during instruction.
• Summative Examples: Final projects or end-of-unit tests designed to measure mastery.
• Digital Tools: Edpuzzle and Flipgrid are common tools mentioned for video-based interaction.
• Scenario Question: To monitor progress in a creative writing unit, an effective assessment is
having students write several sentences describing an original character as an exit ticket.
• Data Analysis: Pre-assessments are used to identify student weaknesses before starting a new
unit.
Preparation Tips
1
, • Focus on PA/OA Alignment: The Reddit community indicates the OA closely matches the
Pre-Assessment (PA) and course lesson tests. (this guide offers both)
• Understand Scenarios: This exam focuses heavily on applying definitions (e.g., knowing when
to use informal vs. formal assessment) rather than just memorizing them.
• Feedback Strategy: Practice providing constructive feedback to improve student learning
outcomes
Q1. How does progress monitoring support individual student growth over time? [Short Answer]
Answer: To track an individual student’s learning over time, identifying growth patterns and
areas that need more support so instruction can be adjusted.
Explanation: Progress monitoring involves repeated measurements of a single student’s performance
across time. This longitudinal view reveals whether interventions are working and where targeted support
is needed, unlike one-off tests that only capture a single moment.
Q2. Why are standardized tests used to compare performance across a larger population?
[Short Answer]
Answer: Because they measure performance under controlled conditions against predetermined
standards, enabling comparison of results across a broad population.
Explanation: Standardized tests use uniform administration and scoring so results are comparable across
students and settings. That standardization allows educators and policymakers to benchmark performance
at scale and detect larger patterns or gaps.
Q3. Which description best fits standardized tests? [Multiple Choice]
A) To evaluate student performance against a predetermined standard to compare across a
larger population
B) To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas needing
additional support
C) To measure student progress against their own previous performance rather than against
external standards
D) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
Answer: To evaluate student performance against a predetermined standard to compare across
a larger population
Explanation: Standardized assessments are administered under controlled conditions and measure
performance against predefined standards so results can be compared across many students or groups.
They are not primarily about comparing a student to peers (norm-referenced), tracking an individual's
progress over time, or assessing against a teacher’s classroom objectives (criterion-referenced focuses on
specific learning objectives rather than broad population comparisons).
2
, Q4. Which purpose best describes progress monitoring? [Multiple Choice]
A) To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas
needing additional support
B) To evaluate student performance against specific benchmarks or standards in order to gauge
overall progress
C) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
D) To compare individual student performance to that of a normative group to determine
relative standing
Answer: To monitor individual student progress over time to identify areas of growth or areas
needing additional support
Explanation: Progress monitoring focuses on tracking a single student’s learning trajectory over time so
teachers can spot growth trends or areas needing intervention. It is not primarily a snapshot against
standards (benchmark), an end-of-unit judgment (summative), or a comparison with a larger population
(norm-referenced). Progress monitoring emphasizes frequent measurement and adjustment based on
individual progress.
Q5. Which statement best defines performance tasks? [Multiple Choice]
A) Performance tasks are hands-on activities that assess students' ability to apply their
knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios
B) Portfolio assessment involves the collection and evaluation of student work samples over time
C) Digital assessment tools leverage technology to create interactive assessments that engage
students and provide immediate feedback
D) Observations involve systematically watching and recording student behavior, interactions,
and performance in various learning contexts
Answer: Performance tasks are hands-on activities that assess students' ability to apply their
knowledge and skills to real-world scenarios
Explanation: Performance tasks require students to perform or produce work that demonstrates
application, problem-solving, and real-world skills rather than selecting answers on a paper test. They
emphasize higher-order thinking and authentic application. They differ from portfolios (which collect work
over time), observations (which record behavior and interactions), and standardized tests (which are
administered under controlled conditions for broad comparisons).
Q6. Which best describes a criterion-referenced assessment? [Multiple Choice]
A) To determine whether students have achieved specific learning objectives or criteria
B) To compare individual student performance to that of a normative group to determine
relative standing
3
