A Formal Assessment: Performance Assessment is characterized by which feature?

• A. Oral exams only
• B. Purely written tests
• C. Descriptive, student-specific, uses during game play
• D. Purely multiple-choice

Answer: (C)

Performance assessment in physical education focuses on students showing their abilities in real movement contexts. In a formal performance assessment, the evidence comes from observing and describing how the student performs during actual game play—their technique, decision making, positioning, and ability to adapt—with feedback that is tailored to the individual and described using clear rubrics. It isn’t limited to oral exams, purely written tests, or multiple‑choice items, which measure knowledge or recall rather than actual physical application. Because it centers on descriptive, student‑specific observations made during game play, this option best captures what a performance assessment is.