The Difference Between Summative and Formative Assessment
When it comes to measuring student progress, there are two primary forms of assessment – summative and formative. Both forms are essential, but they vary in purpose, timing, and scope. In this article, we will explore the fundamental differences between these two types of assessment.
What is Summative Assessment?
Summative assessment is a type of evaluation that occurs at the end of a learning cycle. It measures a student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities relative to a predetermined standard. This type of assessment is usually graded, and it is used to determine if a student has mastered the learning outcomes for a specific course or program.
Examples of summative assessment include final exams, standardized tests, end-of-unit tests, and cumulative projects. Results of summative assessments are often shared with parents, school administrators, and other stakeholders to report on progress and establish accountability.
What is Formative Assessment?
Formative assessment is the process of evaluating student learning throughout the learning process. It aims to provide ongoing feedback to both the students and teachers to ensure that learning is on track. Formative assessment is ungraded, and it is used to identify areas where students need additional support, modify instructional strategies, and plan for further learning.
Examples of formative assessment include in-class quizzes, writing journal entries, informal questioning, and peer review. Unlike summative assessment, formative assessment is used to influence the learning process rather than simply to measure it.
The Key Differences
The key difference between summative and formative assessment is the timing of their implementation within the learning process. Summative assessment is conducted at the end of a course or lesson, while formative assessment takes place throughout the learning process. Additionally, summative assessment is used to evaluate student learning outcomes and determine if these meet pre-established standards, while formative assessment is used to influence the learning process itself.
Another critical difference between these two types of assessments is the type of feedback provided. Summative assessment provides feedback to evaluate student accomplishments and report to others, while formative assessment provides feedback to identify areas of student learning that require improvement and support.
Conclusion
Both summative and formative assessment have a place in the learning process. Summative assessment offers an opportunity to evaluate student learning outcomes and set accountability, while formative assessment offers a way to modify teaching approaches and support student learning throughout the process.
Knowing the difference between these two types of assessments and how they complement each other can help teachers use them more effectively in the classroom. Ultimately, the goal of any form of assessment is to support student learning and promote the success of all learners.
Table difference between summative and formative assessment
| Summative Assessment | Formative Assessment |
|---|---|
| Assessment at the end of a period of learning | Assessment during a period of learning |
| Provides a final grade or evaluation | Provides feedback to improve learning |
| Focuses on the outcome of learning | Focuses on the process of learning |
| Tends to be more formal and high stakes | Tends to be more informal and low stakes |
| Used to determine achievement or mastery of learning objectives | Used to identify areas of strength and weakness for further improvement |