Written tests evaluate students' understanding of which type of learning objectives?

Written tests are primarily used to assess cognitive learning objectives, which relate to the mental processes of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. These objectives focus on what students know and their ability to think critically about the material. Written tests measure students' grasp of concepts, facts, and theories presented in the course content, allowing instructors to evaluate their understanding and retention of the information.

The cognitive domain encompasses various levels of learning, as defined by Bloom's taxonomy, which includes remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Written assessments effectively gauge these levels by asking students to recall information, explain concepts, or solve problems based on what they have learned.

In contrast, affective learning objectives deal with emotions, attitudes, and values, while psychomotor objectives involve physical skills and actions. Physical objectives focus on the physical capabilities of a student. These domains are better assessed through different methods, such as practical demonstrations for psychomotor skills or group discussions for affective objectives. Therefore, written tests are specifically aligned with the assessment of cognitive learning outcomes.