Formative Assessment
Definition
Formative assessment is the ongoing, low-stakes evaluation of student understanding that happens during instruction, rather than at the end. Its purpose is to give teachers and students real-time feedback so instruction can be adjusted while learning is still in progress. Examples include exit tickets, quick polls, and short quizzes.
Formative vs summative assessment
Formative assessment monitors learning as it happens and is usually low-stakes (exit tickets, polls, quick quizzes). Summative assessment evaluates learning at the end of a unit and is usually high-stakes (final exams, projects). Formative assessment informs teaching; summative assessment measures outcomes.
Examples of formative assessment
Common formative assessment techniques are quick to run and easy to act on.
- Exit tickets: a one-question check at the end of class.
- Live polls: instant check-for-understanding during a lesson.
- Short auto-graded quizzes with explanations.
- Think-pair-share and quick written responses.
Formative Assessment FAQ
A common example is an exit ticket — a single quick question at the end of a lesson that tells the teacher whether students understood the material.
You can run free auto-graded quizzes, live polls, and exit tickets with Formkii — no student accounts and no limits.