National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Test

What is the goal of formative assessment?

1. To evaluate student performance at the end of a unit.

2. To provide feedback that guides ongoing learning.

3. To assign grades based on test scores.

4. To compare students against each other.

The correct answer is: To provide feedback that guides ongoing learning.

The goal of formative assessment is to provide feedback that guides ongoing learning. This type of assessment is designed to monitor student learning throughout the instructional process, allowing educators to identify areas where students are struggling or excelling. By offering timely and constructive feedback, formative assessments help teachers adjust their teaching strategies to meet the individual needs of students. This emphasis on continuous improvement and learning helps create a dynamic classroom environment where instruction can be tailored to support students effectively. In contrast, evaluating student performance at the end of a unit focuses more on summative information rather than ongoing learning. Assigning grades based solely on test scores may lead to a narrow view of student understanding and does not convey the full range of student skills and knowledge. Comparing students against each other can discourage collaboration and may not accurately reflect an individual student's progress or learning journey.