Formative and Summative Assessment
Also known as التقييم التكويني والختامي
Definition
Formative assessment happens during learning to guide it — 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.
The distinction is about purpose, not format: 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 are an instructional technique rather than administrative overhead.