a system and method of knowledge assessment comprises displaying to a learner a plurality of multiple - choice questions and two - dimensional answers , accessing a database of learning materials , and transmitting to the learner the plurality of multiple - choice questions and two - dimensional answers . the answers includes plurality of full - confidence answers consisting of single - choice answers , a plurality of partial - confidence answers consisting of one or more sets of multiple single - choice answers , and an unsure answer . the method further comprises scoring a confidence - based assessment administered to the learner by assigning various knowledge state designations based on the learner &# 39 ; s responses to the two - dimensional questions .