Why choose summative assessment

While most summative assessments are given at the conclusion of an instructional period, some summative assessments can still be used diagnostically. For example, the growing availability of student data, made possible by online grading systems and databases, can give teachers access to assessment results from previous years or other courses. By reviewing this data, teachers may be able to identify students more likely to struggle academically in certain subject areas or with certain concepts.

In addition, students may be allowed to take some summative tests multiple times, and teachers might use the results to help prepare students for future administrations of the test. Some educators consider interim tests to be formative, since they are often used diagnostically to inform instructional modifications, but others may consider them to be summative. There is ongoing debate in the education community about this distinction, and interim assessments may defined differently from place to place.

See formative assessment for a more detailed discussion. As they always have, summative assessments can help teachers determine whether students are making adequate academic progress or meeting expected learning standards, and results may be used to inform modifications to instructional techniques, lesson designs, or teaching materials the next time a course, unit, or lesson is taught. The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning.

More specifically, formative assessments:. Formative assessments are generally low stakes , which means that they have low or no point value. Examples of formative assessments include asking students to:. Instructors can help students grow as learners by actively encouraging them to self-assess their own skills and knowledge retention, and by giving clear instructions and feedback. Seven principles adapted from Nicol and Macfarlane-Dick, with additions can guide instructor strategies:.

Instructors can find a variety of other formative assessment techniques through Angelo and Cross , Classroom Assessment Techniques list of techniques available here. Summative Assessment Because summative assessments are usually higher-stakes than formative assessments, it is especially important to ensure that the assessment aligns with the goals and expected outcomes of the instruction.

Effectively implementing assessments in an online teaching environment can be particularly challenging. The Poorvu Center shares these recommendations. Nicol, D. Studies in Higher Education 31 2 : Theall, M. In: A Guide to Faculty Development. Trumbull, E. Understanding formative assessment: Insights from learning theory and measurement theory.

San Francisco: WestEd. The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning routinely supports members of the Yale community with individual instructional consultations and classroom observations.

The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning partners with departments and groups on-campus throughout the year to share its space.

Please review the reservation form and submit a request. The Summer Institutes on Scientific Teaching provide intensive training in undergraduate instruction for STEM faculty and future faculty at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Skip to main content.