What are the advantages and disadvantages of teacher-made tests?

The primary advantage of a teacher-made test is the ability of the teacher to design a customized test that matches the learning goals and content of the class. A key drawback is that teacher-made tests are often narrow in scope, and aligned only with the individual teacher's goals.

Another advantage is that the teacher controls the format and can go beyond the traditional multiple-choice and true-false assessments used in standardized tests. Teachers can also modify their tests on a more regular basis as needed. The lack of uniformity in teacher-made tests is another drawback. Inconsistency makes it difficult for school districts to assess student performance relative to state and national peers.