Best Education Assessment Books of 2026

Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo is a must-read for anyone navigating the college admissions process. Selingo provides an inside look at the admissions process from the perspective of three different universities, revealing surprising strategies that will aid in the college search. He dispels the notion that admissions is solely merit-based and shows that a student's fit with the college's agenda plays a significant role. This book is insightful, informative, and provides a guide for prospective students on how to assess their strengths and match with the best-fit schools. Overall, it is a highly recommended read for students and parents alike.

This comprehensive guide and practice test set is a must-have for social workers studying for the ASWB licensing board exam. The book includes a total of 340 questions, available in print and through premium digital access to ExamPrepConnect. The guide offers a thorough content review of the ASWB exam core content areas, perfectly weighted to match licensing blueprints. Readers can identify their weak areas and maximize content retention based on learning styles. The book also provides essential strategies for success, deals with test anxiety, and offers tips for test-taking. The updated content on race, ethnicity, culture, and macro practice is a plus. Highly recommended.

This book, titled "Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms," by Joe Feldman, is a must-read for educators who want to tackle the challenging conversation around inconsistent grading practices. The book provides a critical historical backdrop and a summary of research on motivation and equitable teaching and learning, along with specific grading practices that are more equitable. The author argues that grading practices that are accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational can improve learning, minimize grade inflation, reduce failure rates, and become a lever for creating stronger teacher-student relationships and more caring classrooms. Overall, this book is an essential resource for anyone looking to implement improved, equity-focused grading for impact.

This Social Work Licensing Clinical Exam Guide and Practice Test Set is a comprehensive resource for those preparing to take the ASWB licensing board exam. With 340 questions available in print and online, readers are able to identify their weak areas and maximize content retention based on learning styles. The book provides a thorough content review of the ASWB exam core content areas, perfectly weighted to match licensing blueprints, and includes a self-assessment and a full practice test. Developed and written by a renowned social work educator, this guide is a must-have for anyone looking to pass the ASWB Clinical exam on the first attempt.

This Gifted and Talented COGAT Test Prep Grade 2 book from Gateway Gifted Resources is an excellent resource to prepare children for the COGAT Level 8 exam. It provides 190+ practice questions, a COGAT Level 8 Practice Test, and a practice test answer key to help children pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses. The book's colorful illustrations, fun characters, and child-friendly themes make it engaging for young minds. This book is an important tool to help parents ensure their children are well-prepared for the COGAT exam and can achieve their dreams.

The AP® U.S. History Crash Course® is a targeted review guide that helps students prepare for the AP® exam in less time. The 5th edition covers all the latest test revisions and is based on an in-depth analysis of the revised AP® U.S. History course and exam description. The book provides expert test-taking strategies and advice, and includes practice questions and a full-length practice exam online. Written by a veteran AP® U.S. History teacher, Larry Krieger, the Crash Course® is an excellent study aid for students who want to make the most of their valuable study time and earn a high score on the AP® exam.

This second edition of Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe offers a comprehensive guide for educators on how to create a curriculum that emphasizes understanding and leads to better student performance. The authors delve into the meaning of essential questions, transfer tasks, and the six facets of understanding to show how they can be incorporated into curriculum design. The book also provides practical strategies, tools, and examples from various subjects to apply the principles of Understanding by Design. Overall, this book offers a clear and thought-provoking path for teacher-designers to create curriculum that ensures better learning for students.

The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible is a comprehensive guide to mastering the Logic Games section of the LSAT. It offers an advanced system for solving any game that may appear on the test, including detailed methodology for recognizing game types, making inferences, and solving each question type. The book also includes time management strategies, extensive drills, and explanations for 28 official LSAT logic games. What sets this book apart is its access to a unique website that provides additional materials and answers frequently asked student questions. Overall, The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible is a must-have for anyone looking to excel in the Logic Games section of the LSAT.

Classroom Assessment: What Teachers Need to Know is a comprehensive guide for pre- and in-service teachers on how to use classroom testing accurately and formatively to improve instruction and learning. The 9th edition includes updated coverage of relevant legislation and policy changes, as well as expanded treatment of technology and its implications for classroom assessment. The book also introduces thoughtful ways to promote assessment literacy and educate parents. The author's clear and concise guidelines make this book a valuable resource for any teacher.

The Social Work Masters Exam Guide is an excellent resource for those preparing for the ASWB Social Work Masters Exam. The third edition of the book by Dawn Apgar has been updated to reflect current practice and core knowledge tested on the exam. It includes a bonus 170-question practice test that mirrors the actual exam and identifies KSAs for each question to help test-takers locate relevant source material for further study. The book offers valuable tips on how to parse the questions, overcome test anxiety, and assess one's learning style. The updated content includes topics on racial/cultural groups, NASW Code of Ethics, and gender diversity. Overall, this guide is an essential tool for success in passing the exam on the first try.