What type of assessment provides information to improve teaching and learning?

Formative assessments are designed specifically to gather feedback that can be used to enhance both teaching practices and student learning. These assessments occur during the learning process, allowing educators to identify areas where students may struggle and adjust their instructional strategies accordingly. For instance, through quizzes, discussions, or observations, a teacher can assess students’ understanding in real-time and make necessary modifications to their teaching methods or provide targeted support to learners who need it.

This ongoing feedback loop helps create a responsive learning environment, ensuring that instruction meets the diverse needs of all students. By contrast, summative assessments, standardized tests, and objective tests typically evaluate what students have learned after the instructional period has ended, offering limited insight into how teaching practices can be improved during the learning process.