The goal of formative assessment is to monitor student learning whereas the goal of summative assessment is to evaluate student learning. Typically, formative assessment is given during, in the middle of, a lesson or unit. Some examples include drawing a concept map on a singular topic learned in class, submitting a research proposal for early feedback, or submitting one or two sentences of the main points of a lecture. Summative assessments, on the other hand, are typically given at the end of a unit and are more high stakes like a unit exam or final project.
