What is a disadvantage of using rubrics for assessment?

The choice regarding performance levels not being as precise as grades or percentages highlights a notable disadvantage of rubrics for assessment. While rubrics provide a structured way to evaluate student performance across various criteria, they typically categorize performance into broader levels such as "excellent," "satisfactory," or "needs improvement," rather than offering specific numerical scores. This can result in a lack of granularity in feedback, especially when students or educators might prefer more exact measures of achievement, such as grades or percentages, which can indicate precise levels of understanding or performance.

This lack of precision can lead to challenges in interpreting what a student truly understands or where they may need improvement, as they might receive the same descriptor as others who performed differently within the same level. In contrast, grades can communicate more specific details about a student's performance, leaving less room for subjectivity.

When considering the other options, while it is true that rubrics can take time to develop and may require training to use effectively, these factors don't detract from the core nature of what rubrics offer in terms of structured assessment. Additionally, while some students might initially find rubrics complex, many ultimately benefit from the clarity they provide regarding expected outcomes and performance criteria. However, the inherent categorization of performance levels in