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
|
