Formative/continuous assessment
Formative/continuous assessment is based on assessment methods conducted throughout a course on an ongoing basis. It is sometimes referred to as educative assessment. It can be conducted by a trainer to comment on general progress but is not necessarily the method best used for grading purposes. It can relate to a series of different assessment types, both formal and informal, such as practical demonstrations, observations during course time, progress tests, written reports, case studies, group projects, session participation, etc. Formative assessments are diagnostic.
Summative assessment
Summative assessment is based on assessment or a final examination carried out at the end of a course or training programme. It is typically used to assign a trainee a final course grade, either numerically or through the marking scheme in operation (e.g. pass, fail, merit) in accordance with assessment criteria. Summative assessments are evaluative. Within the context of summative assessment there are notions of performance-based assessment and forward-looking assessment. Performance-based assessment focuses on achievement. Forward-looking assessment is a method of presenting people with hypothetical future situations and