Formative vs Summative Assessments in Higher Education

Authored by Leland Jaffe DPM, FACFAS – Associate Professor and Dean – Updated 12-29-23

Assessment is a crucial component of education, offering insights into a student’s progress and understanding. It helps both educators and learners identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need improvement. Within the realm of assessments, two main categories stand out: formative and summative assessments. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the differences between these assessments, their purposes, and when to employ them to optimize learning outcomes.

Formative Assessments: Fostering Growth and Understanding

Formative assessments are a continuous process that occurs throughout the learning journey. Their primary objective is to monitor student progress, providing real-time feedback to guide further learning. These assessments can take various forms, such as quizzes, discussions, homework assignments, and even informal observations.

Key Characteristics of Formative Assessments:

1. Ongoing Evaluation: Formative assessments are conducted regularly throughout a learning period. They are NOT meant to be high-stakes but rather tools to gauge comprehension.

1. Focused on Feedback: The emphasis is on providing constructive feedback that helps students identify their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback can be used to adjust teaching strategies and learning approaches.

1. Adaptive Learning: Formative assessments allow educators to adapt their instruction to meet the evolving needs of their students. They can identify struggling learners and provide additional support.

1. Enhancing Student Engagement: They encourage active participation and engagement in the learning process. Students often perceive formative assessments as opportunities for growth rather than as tests.

When to Use Formative Assessments:

- During a Lesson: Employ formative assessments to gauge immediate comprehension during a class or session https://lelandjaffedpm.com/engaging-ways-to-capture-your-students-attention-in-2023/. This could involve asking questions, conducting polls, or using quick quizzes https://www.socrative.com/#login.

- Before Summative Assessments: Use formative assessments to gauge readiness for a summative evaluation. This can help identify areas that may need review before a high-stakes assessment.

- To Adjust Instruction: If formative assessments reveal a widespread misunderstanding of a concept, instructors can adjust their teaching methods or revisit the material.

Summative Assessments: Gauging Overall Achievement

Summative assessments, in contrast, occur at the end of a specific period or unit of study. They are designed to evaluate a student’s overall understanding and proficiency in the subject matter. Common examples include final exams, standardized tests, and end-of-term projects.

Key Characteristics of Summative Assessments:

1. Endpoint Evaluation: Summative assessments provide a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities after a specific period of instruction.

1. Graded and High-Stakes: These assessments often carry significant weight in determining final grades or academic progress.

1. Judgment of Mastery: Summative assessments aim to determine whether students have achieved the desired learning outcomes and objectives set for the course or unit (INSERT LINK).

1. Comparative Analysis: They allow for comparisons between students, classes, or even schools, providing insights into overall performance.

When to Use Summative Assessments:

- End of a Unit or Course: Summative assessments are ideal for evaluating what students have learned after completing a specific unit or course.

- Measuring Program Effectiveness: They can be used to assess the effectiveness of a curriculum or instructional program.

- Providing Accountability: Summative assessments are often used to meet external requirements, such as standardized testing mandated by educational authorities.

Striking a Balance for Optimal Learning

Both formative and summative assessments serve crucial roles in the education process. While formative assessments foster ongoing growth and engagement, summative assessments provide a broader view of overall achievement. The key lies in employing a balanced approach, using each type of assessment strategically to enhance the learning experience.