It is a standardized, individually administered measure of academic achievement. Designed to assess a broad range of skills, it covers areas such as reading, mathematics, and written language. As an example, an examinee might be asked to decode words, solve arithmetic problems, or compose a short essay.
The importance of such an assessment lies in its ability to identify specific strengths and weaknesses in an individual’s academic profile. This detailed information is beneficial for educational planning, intervention strategies, and monitoring progress over time. Historically, it has been used to support diagnoses of learning disabilities and inform individualized education programs.