What is the difference between summative and formative assessment

Answer 1

Summative and formative assessments are two types of assessments used in education.

Summative assessment: This type of assessment is typically used to evaluate learning at the end of a unit, course, or school year. It is designed to measure the level of knowledge, understanding, or skill that a student has acquired. Summative assessments are often high-stakes and can include exams, final projects, or standardized tests. The main purpose of summative assessment is to determine the overall performance or achievement of students.

Formative assessment: Formative assessment, on the other hand, is designed to provide feedback to students during the learning process. It is carried out throughout the instructional period to monitor students' progress and identify areas in which they need improvement. Formative assessments can be informal, like classroom discussions or teacher observations, or more structured, like quizzes or exercises. The main goal of formative assessment is to guide and support students in their learning, providing them with feedback to enhance their understanding and performance.

In summary, summative assessment evaluates student learning at the end of a unit or course, while formative assessment provides ongoing feedback to guide and support students during the learning process.