What's the point of asking this in a job application?

Because if you've received an appraisal 1-2 months before applying they will use it as an excuse to lowball your salary.

Very curious. The cynic in me wants to agree with MrRobot, but is that it?

Apart from what @MrRobot1992 said, it could also be to ascertain that company viewed your contributions valuable enough to translate in money. It is not necessarily a right metric, but could be if same industry

+1 curious. Would like to know recruiter or HR view point here