Which assessment type is characterized by dividing skills into related groups?

The correct choice is criterion-referenced assessments. This type of assessment evaluates an individual's performance against a defined set of criteria or learning standards, rather than against the performance of a peer group. By categorizing skills into related groups, criterion-referenced assessments allow educators to benchmark specific competencies and skills. This helps in understanding how well an individual has learned the material or achieved specific objectives. For instance, in a language skill assessment, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension could be grouped together to evaluate overall language proficiency effectively and targeted feedback can be provided.

In contrast, norm-referenced assessments compare an individual's performance to that of a larger group, focusing on relative standing rather than specific skill proficiency. Formative assessments are typically conducted during the learning process, aiming to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback, and summative assessments evaluate learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing the documented performance against defined standards, often for reporting purposes. These types do not specifically involve breaking down skills into related categories in the same way as criterion-referenced assessments do.