What should an instructor avoid doing while proctoring a performance test?

An instructor should avoid giving suggestions to students who are struggling with the task performance during a performance test because doing so can compromise the integrity and fairness of the assessment. The purpose of a performance test is to evaluate the students' abilities and skills as they stand, without any external input or assistance. Providing hints or suggestions can lead to an unfair advantage for those who receive help, impacting the overall assessment results and potentially skewing the evaluation of their competencies.

In a performance testing context, maintaining a neutral stance allows instructors to accurately assess each student's independent capabilities. This ensures that the results truly reflect what each student knows and can do without external influence. Moreover, providing assistance can undermine the educational goals of promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills that students should have developed through their training.