What is the purpose of alternate assessment methods?

• A. To diagnose mental illness.
• B. To help counselors determine if tests are culturally biased.
• C. To measure fitness.
• D. To predict future job performance.

Answer: (B)

The purpose of alternate assessment methods is to help counselors determine if tests are culturally biased. By using different ways to evaluate a person—such as performance tasks, portfolios, or interviews alongside standard tests—counselors can see whether results reflect true ability or are influenced by language, culture, or background. This helps ensure fair interpretations and decisions. The other options aren’t about fairness or bias detection: diagnosing mental illness involves clinical assessment, measuring fitness is about physical condition, and predicting future job performance is related to employment selection, not assessing test bias.