What distinguishes a formal assessment from an informal assessment?

A formal assessment is distinguished by the fact that its performance is normed on a large population. This means that the results of the assessment can be compared to a normative sample, providing benchmarks that represent a wide range of individuals within a specific demographic. This norm-referenced approach allows professionals to evaluate an individual's performance in relation to a larger group, making it possible to identify areas of strength and weakness based on standardized criteria.

In contrast, informal assessments typically do not have this large-scale normative data backing them. They may be used to gather qualitative insights about an individual's abilities but cannot offer the same level of comparison or widely accepted benchmarks. Thus, the use of normative data is a critical part of what characterizes formal assessments and distinguishes them from informal methods.