What type of assessment is designed to provide guidelines concerning a student's current capabilities?

The correct answer is diagnostic assessment, which is specifically designed to evaluate a student's current knowledge and skills, identifying strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins. This type of assessment typically occurs at the beginning of a learning period or unit and helps educators tailor their instruction to meet the needs of individual students.

Diagnostic assessments often include pre-tests, quizzes, and informal observations, enabling teachers to gather information about what students already know and what gaps may exist in their understanding. This information is crucial for designing effective lesson plans and instructional strategies that are responsive to the diverse abilities of students.

In contrast, formative assessments are ongoing evaluations that take place during the instructional process to monitor student learning and provide feedback. Summative assessments are used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, often for the purpose of determining grades or overall achievement. Norm-referenced assessments compare a student's performance against a national or group average, rather than focusing specifically on the individual's current capabilities. Hence, diagnostic assessments stand out as the tool specifically aimed at understanding a student's existing level of knowledge and skill.