Which term best describes grading that lacks clear standards and guidelines?

The term that best describes grading that lacks clear standards and guidelines is "grading by assumption." This concept emphasizes a subjective approach to assessment where educators or instructors make judgments based on personal belief or intuition rather than established criteria. In the absence of clear benchmarks, this type of grading can lead to inconsistencies and misunderstandings among students regarding their performance and expectations.

Grading by assumption can ultimately hinder a student's ability to understand their strengths and weaknesses, as well as how to improve, since there are no concrete guidelines to follow. A well-defined grading system would enable students to grasp what is required to achieve different levels of performance, which is essential for their learning and development in a cosmetology program.

Other options suggest different interpretations of grading practices, but they do not convey the lack of clarity and structure associated with "grading by assumption." For example, grading by desire implies that grades are influenced by personal preferences rather than evaluations based on defined standards. Similarly, grading without risk suggests an environment devoid of challenges that could reflect true skill development, while grading fairly denotes a balanced and equitable approach, which is not representative of a system that lacks guidelines.