Which statement correctly describes formative vs summative assessment and their uses?

• A. They are the same in purpose.
• B. Formative is ongoing to inform instruction; summative evaluates learning at endpoints; use formative for adjustments; summative for grading and program evaluation.
• C. Formative is used only for grading; summative informs instruction.
• D. Formative is optional and rarely used.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that assessments have different purposes and timing. Formative assessment happens during instruction and provides feedback that helps both teachers adjust teaching and students adjust their learning strategies. It’s ongoing and low-stakes, focusing on improving learning as you go. Summative assessment occurs at the end of a unit or course to judge what has been learned, and it’s often high-stakes, used for grading and for evaluating a program or outcomes.

This aligns with the statement that formative is ongoing to inform instruction, while summative evaluates learning at endpoints; formative is used for adjustments, and summative for grading and program evaluation.

The other options miss this distinction: they either claim the assessments serve the same purpose, or misstate who uses formative for grading, or say formative is optional and rarely used.