Types of Formative Assessment

According to Isavi, (2012), the most common forms of formative assessment during instruction are the following:

• Homework exercises which are considered as an overview of  exams and class discussions
• Reflections journals which are reviewed periodically by the learners during the semester
• Inquiries and replies  sessions, both formal-planned and informal-spontaneous
• Meeting between the teacher  and learner at different  points in the semester
• In-class activities in which learners informally offer their results
• Learner feedback gathered by periodically replying to  specific question on the instruction and their self-evaluation of performance and advances

In contrast to formative assessment which is an ongoing-on process, summative assessment is conducted periodically to clarify at a particular point in time what students know and do not know. Thus it serves as a final evaluation of the learners who have undergone an instruction program. One may deem summative assessment equal with standardized tests such as TOEFL outside the classroom. However, this type of test is also used at classrooms and is considered as an important part of instructional programs. Summative assessment provides a basis on which the students’ performance after an instructional program will be evaluated and due decisions will be made.