A method for providing instructions to a student includes presenting a model assessment item to a student. The student is also presented with a series of pictures. At least some of the pictures in the series represent steps in a thought process of the depicted student used to deduce an answer to the model assessment item. An assessment intended for substantially completely nonverbal administration includes a model assessment item for presentation to a student. The assessment includes a series of pictures for presentation to the student. At least some of the pictures in the series represent steps in a nonverbal sequence of instructions for answering the model assessment item. The model assessment item is depicted in the pictures, and at least some of the pictures in the series represent steps in a thought process of the depicted student used to deduce an answer to the model assessment item.