What is an example of formative assessment?

Formative assessment refers to a range of assessments used to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to enhance teaching and by students to improve their learning. The key characteristic of formative assessments is that they occur during the learning process rather than at the end, and their purpose is to support learning through timely feedback.

Quizzes and class discussions are effective examples of formative assessments because they allow teachers to gauge student understanding in real time. Through quizzes, teachers can identify which concepts students have mastered and which ones require further clarification. Likewise, class discussions provide opportunities for students to articulate their thoughts and questions, enabling teachers to assess comprehension dynamically and adjust instructional strategies accordingly.

In contrast, the other options describe summative assessments where evaluations are typically used to measure student learning at the end of an instructional period. Annual standardized exams focus on evaluating student performance over a longer term and do not provide immediate feedback for improvement. Final projects conclude learning experiences and assess cumulative knowledge rather than ongoing progress. Semi-annual progress reports summarize student performance over time but do not offer the direct, actionable feedback characteristic of formative assessments.