What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?

• A. Formative provides ongoing feedback during learning; summative evaluates overall achievement at the end.
• B. They are identical.
• C. Formative is only for exams; summative is for attendance.
• D. Summative provides ongoing feedback; formative is final.

Answer: (A)

Formative assessment is used during learning to monitor progress and provide feedback that helps students improve before the final evaluation. Its role is to inform instruction and support ongoing growth, with feedback that students can use to adjust their study strategies or understanding. Examples include quick in-class checks, draft submissions with comments, and low-stakes quizzes or exit tickets.

Summative assessment happens after instruction is complete and is designed to evaluate what has been learned overall, often for a final grade or certification. Examples include final exams, end-of-term projects, and culminating performance tasks.

Because formative assessment focuses on guiding learning in real time and summative assessment focuses on certifying learning at the end, the best description is that formative provides ongoing feedback during learning while summative evaluates overall achievement at the end. The other options misstate the timing or purpose of these assessments.