Assessment conducted during the learning process to improve teaching and learning is known as Formative assessment. This type of assessment is ongoing and integrated throughout the instructional period, serving as a continuous feedback loop for both students and educators. Its primary purpose is to monitor student learning, identify areas where students are struggling, and provide timely, constructive feedback that can be used to adjust teaching strategies and improve student understanding.
Formative assessments are not typically graded or used for high-stakes decisions; instead, they are designed to inform and guide the learning process. Examples include short quizzes, exit tickets, classroom discussions, observations, and peer assessments. By gathering information about student progress in real-time, teachers can modify their instruction to better meet student needs, while students can use the feedback to refine their learning strategies. This contrasts sharply with summative assessment, which evaluates learning at the end of an instructional unit, diagnostic assessment which identifies prior knowledge or learning difficulties, and placement assessment which determines appropriate course levels.