Formative Vs Summative Assesment

Summative assessments are typically used to evaluate the effectiveness of instructional programs and services at the end of an academic year or at a pre-determined time. The goal of summative assessments is to make a judgment of student competency after an instructional phase is complete. For example, CBSE exam is administered once a year -- it is a summative assessment to determine each student's ability at pre-determined points in time. Summative evaluations are used to determine if students have mastered specific competencies and to identify instructional areas that need additional attention.

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

Daily assessment on each topic or key concept studied

Assessment after a specified period or end of academic session

The feedback is used identify gaps in knowledge or areas not adequately covered

Grading used to promote to student to next class or admission in higher courses

Mainly Self Assessment or sometimes Teacher adminstered

Mainly a exam administered by school, college, university


Garden Analogy

If we think of our students as plants

Summative assessment of the plants is the process of simply measuring them. It might be interesting to compare and analyze measurements but, in themselves, these do not affect the growth of the plants.

Formative assessment, on the other hand, is the equivalent of feeding and watering the plants appropriate to their needs - directly affecting their growth




 
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