Question

Which of the following is not an appropriate tool for formative assessment ?

• A. Quiz
• B. Diagnostic Test
• C. Term Test
• D. Lab reports

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Term Test

Assessment

• Assessment is "a systematic procedure for collecting information that can be used to make inferences about the characteristics of people or objects.

• Assessment is referred as "a process of collecting evidence and making judgements relating to outcomes".

• It is said that assessment has a narrower meaning than evaluation but a broader meaning than measurement.

Formative Assessment

• Takes place throughout the learning process to monitor student understanding and provide ongoing feedback.

• These assessments are typically low-stakes and help students identify areas for improvement before summative evaluations.

• Examples include classroom discussions, short quizzes, and exit tickets (End of lesson activity)

Summative Assessment

• Conducted at the end of a learning period (e.g., a unit, semester, or year) to evaluate overall learning and assign grades.

• Generally carried out at the end of a course, project, semester, or unit.

• Primarily evaluative and used to assign learners a course grade.

• Designed to judge the learner’s overall performance at the end of an educational activity.

• Examples include : term exams, and final projects.

Quiz: Quizzes are excellent for formative assessment. They are usually short, frequent, and provide quick feedback on specific concepts, allowing both students and instructors to identify areas needing more attention.

Diagnostic Test: These tests are specifically designed to identify a student's strengths and weaknesses, misconceptions, or areas of difficulty before or during instruction. This information helps tailor subsequent teaching, making it a powerful formative tool.

Lab reports: Lab reports, when assessed with feedback focused on the process, understanding of concepts, and scientific reasoning rather than just a final grade, can be very effective formative tools. They allow instructors to see how students are applying knowledge, interpreting data, and communicating results, and provide specific feedback for improvement.

Term Test: Term tests (or end-of-term exams) are typically comprehensive assessments given at the end of a long period of instruction (a term, semester, or year). Their primary purpose is to evaluate overall learning and assign a grade, making them a classic example of summative assessment.