Assessments

Assessments

Diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments serve distinct purposes in the learning process. Select each type of assessment to learn more.

DiagnosticAssessments

Formative Assessments

Summative Assessments

In summary, while diagnostic and formative assessments guide learning, summative assessments measure final outcomes.

Assessments Examples

DiagnosticAssessments

Formative Assessments

Summative Assessments

Diagnostic Assessments

Diagnostic assessments occur before instruction begins, identifying students' prior knowledge, skills, and potential learning gaps to inform teaching strategies.

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Formative Assessments

Formative assessments take place during instruction, providing ongoing feedback to students and instructors to adjust learning activities and improve understanding. These assessments are low-stakes and include activities like quizzes, discussions, reflections or other engaging learning activities.

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Summative Assessments

Summative assessments, generally conducted at the end of a specific learning unit or course, evaluate overall achievement and mastery of learning objectives, often through exams or final papers or projects.

Formative Assessment Examples

• Presentations: Students present project, knowledge, etc.
• Observations during in-class activities
• Elevator speech
• Reflections, with regular feedback
• Question and answer sessions
• Performance: Students perform a snapshot of a final project
• Quiz with immediate feedback for learning
• Minute paper

Summative Assessment Examples

• Examinations: high-stakes and final exams
• Final papers (drafts of the same paper submitted for feedback before final submission are formative assessments)
• Projects
• Portfolios
• Performances
• Presentations

Diagnostic Assessment Examples

• Written questions: multiple choice or short answer.
• Pre- and post-tests, which allows the instructor to measure growth.
• Self-assessments or reflections based on specific competencies.
• Discussion responses based on specific content and prompts.
• Interviews with each student separately, this may work with small enrollment courses.
• Observations of student performance based on competencies.