Formative vs Summative Assessment
Formative assessment is in-progress feedback to improve learning; summative assessment is end-of-unit judgement to measure learning. Both are necessary; the balance matters.
The key difference
Formative assessment happens during learning, quick checks, exit tickets, observation, peer feedback, and informs what the teacher does next. Summative assessment happens at the end, a unit test, a project submission, an exam, and judges what has been learnt. A useful analogy: formative is the chef tasting the soup; summative is the diner reviewing it.
Why both matter
A classroom heavy on summative assessment but light on formative is a series of judgement events with no opportunity to improve in between. A classroom with strong formative practice catches misunderstandings early, when they can still be fixed cheaply.
Balance at Yajur
The Oxford International Curriculum at Yajur Public School weights formative assessment heavily in primary years. Term-end summative assessments contribute to a holistic report but do not dominate the experience. Continuous feedback is the engine of the classroom.
Related terms
Rubric Assessment
A grid that lays out what 'beginning', 'developing', 'proficient' and 'excellent' look like for each criterion, turning subjective judgement into transparent, consistent evaluation.
Portfolio Assessment
An approach where a child's progress is judged through a curated collection of their work over time, drafts, finished pieces, reflections, rather than a single test score.
Self-Assessment
A structured practice where students evaluate their own work against agreed criteria, strengthening metacognition, ownership of learning and self-direction.