Which of the following is a formative assessment approach?

• A. Exit tickets after a lesson
• B. Final exam at the end of unit
• C. Midterm graded assignment
• D. End-of-year portfolio

Answer: (A)

Formative assessment is checking understanding during instruction so you can adjust teaching as you go. Exit tickets after a lesson fit this purpose perfectly because they’re quick, low-stakes checks of what students learned, usually taken right after the lesson. The teacher reviews the responses to see what was understood and where misconceptions linger, then plans the next steps accordingly. This immediate feedback helps guide ongoing instruction.

In contrast, a final exam at the end of a unit evaluates what was learned after everything has been taught, making it summative. A midterm graded assignment serves a similar role at a midpoint and is typically weighted toward a final grade, also summative in nature. An end-of-year portfolio collects evidence over a long period and is used to summarize growth and achievement, which is more aligned with summative assessment, even though it can include formative elements in practice.