Assessment is a fundamental part of teaching, but not all assessments serve the same purpose. Understanding the difference between formative and summative assessment—and knowing when to use each—is crucial for effective teaching. Let's break down these two types of assessments and explore best practices for each.
Understanding Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is ongoing evaluation that occurs during the learning process. Its primary purpose is to provide feedback that improves teaching and learning while instruction is happening.
Characteristics of Formative Assessment:
- Occurs during instruction, not after
- Low-stakes or no-stakes (doesn't heavily impact grades)
- Provides immediate feedback
- Helps identify learning gaps in real-time
- Guides instructional adjustments
Examples of Formative Assessment:
- Quick quizzes at the end of a lesson
- Exit tickets
- Think-pair-share activities
- Observations during class discussions
- Student self-assessments
- Peer assessments
- One-minute papers
Understanding Summative Assessment
Summative assessment evaluates student learning at the end of an instructional period. Its primary purpose is to measure what students have learned and assign grades.
Characteristics of Summative Assessment:
- Occurs after instruction is complete
- High-stakes (significantly impacts grades)
- Provides final evaluation of learning
- Measures achievement against standards
- Used for accountability and reporting
Examples of Summative Assessment:
- Unit tests
- Final exams
- End-of-term projects
- Standardized tests
- Portfolio assessments
- Research papers
Best Practices for Formative Assessment
1. Make It Frequent and Low-Stakes
Formative assessments should happen regularly—ideally multiple times per week. Keep them low-pressure so students feel comfortable showing what they know (and don't know) without fear of poor grades.
2. Provide Immediate Feedback
The value of formative assessment lies in timely feedback. Students need to know quickly whether they understand concepts so they can adjust their learning strategies.
3. Use Results to Adjust Instruction
Formative assessment data should directly inform your teaching. If most students struggle with a concept, spend more time on it. If they've mastered it, move on.
4. Involve Students in the Process
Help students understand their own learning through self-assessment and reflection. When students can identify their own gaps, they become more independent learners.
5. Vary Your Methods
Use different types of formative assessments to get a complete picture of student understanding. Mix formal and informal methods, written and verbal responses.
Best Practices for Summative Assessment
1. Align with Learning Objectives
Ensure your summative assessments measure what you actually taught. Every question should connect to a specific learning objective.
2. Provide Clear Expectations
Students should know exactly what will be assessed and how. Provide rubrics, study guides, and clear instructions well in advance.
3. Use Multiple Assessment Methods
Don't rely solely on tests. Include projects, presentations, portfolios, and other methods to give students multiple ways to demonstrate learning.
4. Allow for Revision When Appropriate
Consider allowing students to revise and resubmit work, especially for major projects. This promotes learning over simple evaluation.
5. Provide Detailed Feedback
Even summative assessments should include feedback that helps students understand their performance and areas for improvement.
Balancing Formative and Summative Assessment
The key to effective assessment is balance:
- Use More Formative: Formative assessments should outnumber summative ones—aim for a 70/30 or 80/20 ratio
- Let Formative Inform Summative: Use formative assessment data to prepare students for summative assessments
- Build Confidence: Regular formative assessments help students feel prepared for summative ones
- Reduce Anxiety: When students are regularly assessed formatively, high-stakes summative assessments feel less intimidating
Using Technology Effectively
Online quiz platforms can support both types of assessment:
- For Formative: Quick, low-stakes quizzes with immediate feedback
- For Summative: Comprehensive assessments with detailed analytics
- Adaptive Features: Some platforms can adjust difficulty for formative assessment
- Data Tracking: Technology makes it easier to track progress over time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Only Summative: Waiting until the end to assess leaves no time for intervention
- Making Formative Too High-Stakes: This defeats the purpose and increases anxiety
- Ignoring Formative Data: Collecting data but not using it to adjust instruction
- Poor Alignment: Assessing things you didn't teach or teaching things you won't assess
Conclusion
Both formative and summative assessments play vital roles in education. Formative assessment guides learning in real-time, while summative assessment measures final achievement. By understanding the purpose of each and implementing best practices, you can create an assessment system that truly supports student learning.
Remember: the goal of assessment isn't just to assign grades—it's to improve learning. When you use formative assessment to guide instruction and summative assessment to measure achievement, you create a powerful cycle of teaching and learning that helps every student succeed.