What is a formative assessment?

A formative assessment is defined as an evaluation method used to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning. The primary goal of formative assessments is to identify strengths and weaknesses in understanding during the learning process rather than to assign a grade at the end of a course. It involves various tools and techniques, such as quizzes, class discussions, and observational assessments that occur throughout the instructional period. This continuous feedback cycle allows both students and teachers to understand the current learning status and make necessary adjustments in strategies and approaches to achieve better educational outcomes.

In contrast, a final exam for credit represents a summative assessment, meant to evaluate cumulative knowledge at the conclusion of a course. Tests administered only at the end of a course also characterize summative assessments rather than formative. Observations without feedback do not enrich the learning cycle since they lack the critical element of constructive feedback that formative assessments provide, which guides improvement and fosters student growth.