The purpose of this study is to analyze students’ perception on traditional and alternative assessment as a tool to evaluate students' abilities. The respondents of this research are students of English language education. The problem of this study is students’ perception on traditional and alternative assessment. This study uses qualitative approach and the data were obtained through questionnaire and interview from 462 students 4th semester and it took 20% out of it. The total respondent of this research is 92 out of English language education students over than 4th semesters, and 18 out of 92 interviewed. The result of the research served descriptively, regarding the two types of assessment that applied in their classroom, traditional assessment; multiple choice, essay, fill in the blank, short answer, etc. and alternative assessment; computer based test, portfolio, and group project. The results indicated that the two types of assessment cannot be compared in the same time. Both of these two types of assessments is needed to aply even though the result showed that the alternative one gives more positive value on students’ perception than traditional one. Based on the research findings, some recommendations for the faculty as policy maker, the students, and the lectures are finally presented.