What does formative assessment aim to achieve?

• A. To evaluate final grades
• B. To monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback
• C. To conduct standardized tests
• D. To compare student performance to national averages

Answer: (B)

Formative assessment is an approach to evaluating student understanding and progress during the learning process. Its primary aim is to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning. This type of assessment occurs while instruction is happening, allowing educators to adjust lesson plans, address learning gaps, and encourage students’ reflective learning.

The essence of formative assessment is that it is not used for assigning final grades; rather, it focuses on the continuous development and improvement of skills and knowledge. It serves as a tool for fostering learning rather than merely measuring it at the end of a unit or semester. This approach emphasizes the importance of feedback both to inform the educator's instruction and to guide the student in their own learning journey.