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Examples of Formative and Summative Assessments in Various Disciplines

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Formative Assessments

Table with various methods of Summative Assessments
Formative Assessments: Math
Category	Method	Description
Collaborative and Interactive Learning Strategies	Think-Pair Share	Pose a problem related to a recent algebra concept (e.g., solving quadratic equations). Have students think individually, discuss with a partner, and then share with the class.
	Quick Polls	Use online polling tools (like Kahoot or Poll Everywhere) to ask multiple-choice questions about key concepts (e.g., properties of exponents). Review results immediately to address misconceptions.
Traditional Assessment Methods	Low-Stakes Quizzes	Administer short, ungraded quizzes at the beginning or end of class to check understanding of recent topics (e.g., factoring polynomials). Discuss answers in class to reinforce learning.
Independent Practice and Reinforcement Assessments	Problem Sets	Assign regular homework problems covering recently taught material. Provide detailed feedback to help students understand mistakes and learn correct methods.
Discussion-Based and Dialogic Activities	Guided Discussions	Facilitate discussions on how to approach complex algebra problems. Encourage students to explain their thought processes and strategies for solving equations.
Collaborative and Peer-Assisted Learning	Group Problem-Solving	Have students work in small groups to solve challenging algebra problems. Each group presents their solutions to the class, followed by peer feedback.
	Peer Review of Homework	Allow students to exchange homework assignments and provide feedback to each other using a rubric.
Reflective and Process-Based Assessments	Learning Journals	Ask students to keep journals reflecting on their understanding of algebraic concepts, challenges, and plans to address those challenges.
Technology-Enhanced Learning Assessments	Online Practice Platforms	Use tools like Khan Academy, ALEKS, or MyMathLab for students to practice algebra problems and receive instant feedback.

Table with various methods of Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments: History
Category	Method	Description
Collaborative and Interactive Learning Strategies	Think-Pair-Share	Present a historical question or scenario (e.g., "What were the causes of the American Revolution?"). Students think individually, discuss with a partner, and share with the class.
	Quick Polls	Use online tools to ask students questions about recent lecture topics (e.g., key events of the Civil Rights Movement). Review results to address misunderstandings immediately.
Traditional Assessment Methods	Low-Stakes Quizzes	Administer short, ungraded quizzes at the start or end of class to check understanding of recent readings or lectures (e.g., key dates and figures of the French Revolution). Discuss answers in class.
Independent Practice and Reinforcement Assessments	Document Analysis	Assign students primary source documents to analyze. Provide feedback on their interpretations and understanding of the historical context.
Discussion-Based and Dialogic Activities	Guided Discussions	Facilitate discussions on significant historical events or themes. Encourage students to express their viewpoints and engage in debates, promoting critical thinking.
Collaborative and Peer-Assisted Learning	Group Projects	Have students work in small groups to research and present on specific historical events or figures. Each group presents their findings to the class, followed by peer feedback.
	Peer Review of Essays	Allow students to exchange draft essays and provide feedback to each other using a rubric.
Reflective and Process-Based Assessments	Learning Journals	Ask students to keep journals where they reflect on what they learned from lectures, readings, and discussions, as well as their thoughts on historical interpretations and events.
Technology-Enhanced Learning Assessments	Online Discussion Boards	Use platforms like Canvas to create discussion forums where students can discuss readings and lecture topics, allowing for ongoing engagement outside of class.

Table with various methods of Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments: STEM
Category	Method	Description
Collaborative and Interactive Learning Strategies	Think-Pair-Share	Present a problem or concept (e.g., solving a physics equation, explaining a chemical reaction). Students think individually, discuss with a partner, and share with the class.
	Quick Polls	Use online polling tools to ask questions about recent lecture topics (e.g., properties of a material, steps in a biological process). Review results to clarify misconceptions.
Traditional Assessment Methods	Low-Stakes Quizzes	Administer short, ungraded quizzes at the start or end of class to check understanding of recent material (e.g., math problems, coding syntax). Discuss answers in class.
Independent Practice and Reinforcement Assessments	Problem Sets	Assign regular problem sets that cover recently taught material. Provide detailed feedback on their solutions to help them understand mistakes and learn correct methods.
	Lab Reports	Assign small lab experiments where students must report their methods, observations, and conclusions. Provide feedback on their scientific reasoning and writing.
Discussion-Based and Dialogic Activities	Guided Discussions	Facilitate discussions on complex STEM concepts or current research findings. Encourage students to explain their thought processes and engage in scientific debates.
Collaborative and Peer-Assisted Learning	Group Projects	Have students work in small groups to solve challenging STEM problems or conduct experiments. Each group presents their findings to the class, followed by peer feedback.
	Peer Review of Assignments	Allow students to exchange homework assignments or lab reports and provide feedback to each other using a rubric.
Reflective and Process-Based Assessments	Learning Journals	Ask students to keep journals where they reflect on their understanding of STEM concepts, what they find challenging, and how they plan to address those challenges.
Technology-Enhanced Learning Assessments	Online Practice Platforms	Use tools like MyMathLab, CodeSignal, or MATLAB Grader, where students can practice problems and receive instant feedback.

English Composition

Table with various methods of Formative Assessments
Formative Assessments: English Composition
Category	Method	Description
Collaborative and Interactive Learning Strategies	Think-Pair-Share	Pose a prompt related to a writing skill or concept (e.g., developing a thesis statement). Students think individually, discuss with a partner, and share their ideas with the class.
	Quick Polls	Use online tools to ask questions about writing techniques or grammar rules. Review results to clarify misconceptions immediately.
Traditional Assessment Methods	Low-Stakes Quizzes	Administer short, ungraded quizzes on grammar, punctuation, or citation styles. Discuss answers in class to reinforce learning.
Independent Practice and Reinforcement Assessments	Writing Exercises	Assign short writing tasks focused on specific skills, such as crafting topic sentences or using transition words. Provide detailed feedback to guide improvement.
	Reading Responses	Have students write responses to assigned readings, focusing on analysis and personal reflection.
Discussion-Based and Dialogic Activities	Guided Discussions	Facilitate discussions on writing techniques, literary analysis, or rhetorical strategies. Encourage students to share their interpretations and engage in peer feedback.
Collaborative and Peer-Assisted Learning	Peer Review Sessions	Have students exchange drafts of their essays and provide constructive feedback using a guided rubric. Focus on specific aspects such as organization, clarity, and argument strength.
	Group Writing Projects	Assign collaborative writing tasks where students work together to produce a piece, such as a group essay or research project.
Reflective and Process-Based Assessments	Learning Journals	Ask students to keep journals where they reflect on their writing process, challenges they face, and strategies they find helpful.
	Self-Assessments	Encourage students to evaluate their own work using a rubric before submitting their final drafts.
Technology-Enhanced Learning Assessments	Online Writing Labs	Use platforms like Purdue OWL or Grammarly for students to get additional writing help and instant feedback on grammar and style.
	Discussion Boards	Create online forums for students to discuss readings and share drafts for peer feedback.

Media and Design

The Arts

Health Professions

Summative Assessments

Math

History

STEM

English Composition

Table with various methods of Summative Assessments
Summative Assessments: English Composition
Method	Description
Essay Exams	Design exams where students write essays on given prompts. Assess their ability to construct arguments, use evidence, and demonstrate writing skills under timed conditions.
Research Papers	Assign a research project where students develop a thesis, conduct research, and write a comprehensive paper. Require multiple drafts and a final presentation of their findings.
Creative Writing Projects	Assign creative writing tasks such as short stories, poems, or personal essays. Evaluate based on creativity, coherence, and adherence to writing conventions.
Analytical Essays	Have students write in-depth analyses of literary works, focusing on themes, characters, and stylistic devices. Provide guidelines for structure and argument development.
Cumulative Writing Portfolios	Require students to compile a portfolio of their best work, including essays, research papers, and reflections. Include a reflective essay where students discuss their growth as writers.
Verbal Explanations	Conduct oral exams where students discuss their writing processes, choices, and revisions. Assess their ability to articulate their strategies and understanding of writing concepts.
Departmental Writing Tests	Use standardized writing assessments created by the department to ensure consistency in evaluating student performance across different sections.
Real-World Writing Tasks	Present students with practical writing scenarios, such as crafting a business letter, writing a grant proposal, or creating a blog post. Assess their ability to adapt their writing to different contexts and audiences.
Cumulative Portfolios	Require students to compile a portfolio of their best work throughout the course, including essays, writing exercises, and reflections. Include a reflective essay where students discuss their learning journey and growth as writers.

Business

Media and Design

Table with various methods of Summative Assessments
Summative Assessments: The Arts
Method	Description
Final Projects/Performances	Comprehensive final projects or performances that showcase students’ skills and creativity. Could be a solo exhibition, a dance recital, a music concert, or a theatre production.
Portfolios	Compilation of students’ best work, demonstrating their skills, creativity, and progression. Serves as a comprehensive assessment of their overall ability and readiness for professional practice.
Recitals and Exhibitions	End-of-term recitals for music students, exhibitions for visual arts students, and performances for dance and theatre students. Assesses their ability to present and discuss their work in a professional setting.
Written Reports/Artist Statements	Reports or artist statements accompanying their projects where students explain their process, research, and final outcomes. Assesses their ability to articulate their work and its theoretical underpinnings.
Auditions/Practical Exams	Practical exams where students perform or demonstrate their skills in a controlled environment. Assesses their technical proficiency and ability to perform under pressure.
Digital Portfolios	Creation of digital portfolios for visual and performing arts students. Assesses their ability to curate and present their work in a digital format, often a requirement for professional practice.
Research Papers	In-depth research papers on topics related to art, dance, music, or theatre history and theory. Assesses their research skills and ability to engage with theoretical concepts.
Choreography/Composition Projects	For dance and music courses, students create original choreographies or compositions. Assesses their creativity, technical skills, and ability to produce original work.
Performance Reviews	Students attend and review professional performances or exhibitions, analyzing and critiquing them. Develops their critical thinking and understanding of professional standards in their field.

Health Professions

Table with various methods of Summative Assessments
Summative Assessments: Health Profession
Method	Description
Comprehensive Exams	Mid-term and final exams covering theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Can include multiple-choice questions, short answers, and clinical scenario-based questions.
Clinical Rotations	Assessment during clinical rotations where students work in healthcare settings under supervision. Evaluates their ability to apply knowledge in practice, interact with patients, and function as part of a healthcare team.
Capstone Projects	Students complete a capstone project that involves research, clinical practice, or a combination of both. Assesses their ability to integrate and apply their learning to a significant project.
Portfolios	Compilation of students’ clinical experiences, case studies, reflective journals, and other relevant work. Provides a comprehensive view of their progress and readiness for professional practice.
Clinical Competency Exams	Exams specifically designed to test clinical skills and competencies. May include hands-on procedures, patient interviews, and diagnostic reasoning.
Patient Care Reports	Detailed reports on patient care episodes, including diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up. Assesses their ability to document and communicate clinical information effectively.
Research Papers	In-depth research papers on topics related to health professions, such as medical research, public health issues, or healthcare policy. Assesses their research skills and ability to engage with current issues in the field.
Oral Exams	Oral exams where students are asked to discuss clinical cases, theoretical knowledge, and ethical dilemmas. Assesses their verbal communication skills and depth of understanding.
Standardized Patient Interactions	Interactions with actors trained to portray patients with specific conditions. Assesses their ability to perform patient assessments, make diagnoses, and communicate effectively.
Practical Skill Tests	Hands-on tests of specific practical skills, such as suturing, phlebotomy, or administering injections. Ensures proficiency in essential clinical procedures.