Formative and Summative Assessment
Also known as التقييم التكويني والختامي
Definition
Formative assessment happens during learning to guide it, through low-stakes checks, practice questions and feedback that tell learner and instructor what still needs work. Summative assessment happens at the end to judge achievement against a standard, producing the score, pass decision or certification of record.
Purpose separates the two, and the same question can serve either. Using it formatively means the learner gets feedback and another attempt; using it summatively means the result is recorded as a judgment. Confusing the two makes learners defensive during practice, which suppresses the honest attempts formative assessment depends on.
Formative assessment also has a well-documented learning effect of its own. Retrieving an answer strengthens memory more than rereading the material, so frequent low-stakes questions teach as well as check.