What type of knowledge does a retention test primarily focus on?

A retention test primarily focuses on existing knowledge, as it evaluates what a learner has retained or remembered after a certain period of time following the initial learning experience. The essence of a retention test is to measure how well this previously learned information has been preserved in memory.

In this context, existing knowledge refers specifically to the information, skills, or concepts that have already been taught and studied. This contrasts with new knowledge, which is information that a learner is encountering for the first time and would not be the primary focus of a retention test. While knowledge from peers may play a role in the learning process, retention tests are designed to assess an individual’s own recollection of previously acquired knowledge rather than collaborative or peer-influenced learning. Lastly, while retention tests can sometimes encompass various types of acquired knowledge, they specifically center on how well existing knowledge continues to be accessible in the learner's cognitive repertoire after the learning event has taken place.