Formative Vs Summative Assessment

Here at Hexis Plus we appreciate the value of formative and summative assessments as metres of performance. Let’s look at the differences and attributes of both.

Formative assessment, also known as assessment for learning (A.F.L.)  is used by a tutor to measure the student’s performance and abilities, throughout the course, but not in a stress filled high level risk exam. These assessments: identify the student's strong and weak areas, how much a student has grasped and whether additional attention needs to be spent. They are, therefore, diagnostic.

For example, a formative assessment could be to construct a flow chart about the company sales process.  If student A grasped all but one stage and student B missed out two important stages this is immediately flagged up when the tutor views their charts, but it carries a lesser impact on the overall mark the student achieves at the end of their course.

The tutor can modify their techniques to ensure that students A and B are taught in a style that helps them to retain and communicate the data effectively and the student can give their own feedback about how they think they are doing throughout the duration of the lesson or course.

The Manchester Metropolitan University uses the following forms of formative assessments:

• Participation in role plays.
• To provide a summary about learning something specific.
• Write reports on set tasks carried out and their results and conclusions.
• Verbally present a principle to another student or the tutor.
• Draw a map or flow diagram of a process.
• Take a multiple choice test.
• Participate in a quiz, online or offline.
• A presentation using various forms of media.
• Write a blog post or webpage.
• Performance.

Summative assessment, also called assessment of learning (A.O.L.,) is used at the end of an educational segment to ascertain the student’s knowledge and abilities against a set benchmark or criteria.

So, for example, in the travel industry training is given to meet the Association of British Travel Agents guidelines which are fixed. Subsequently, the an exam sat is of a higher consequence to the student and their career. Nursing also has standards which must be met so the summative assessment will illustrate whether they are competent or not in the theory or practical assessment.

The University of Manchester lists their summative assessment methods on their website and they are:

• An unseen exam in controlled conditions.
• A previously seen exam paper in controlled conditions.
• An open book exam.
• A take-away exam.
• An oral exam.
• A multiple choice test.
• An essay or assignment.
• A dissertation.
• A presentation or practical performance.
• Attendance.
• Participation in lessons.

The results of a formative assessment can be used as preparation for the summative assessments and subsequent further studies.

Hexis Plus appreciates the implementation of both assessment types and we hope to assist you.

By Joanne Hayle