Which type of assessment is used during instruction to guide learning?

• A. Diagnostic assessment
• B. Summative assessment
• C. Standardized testing
• D. Formative assessment

Answer: (D)

Formative assessment is designed to guide learning as instruction happens. It involves checking students’ understanding during a lesson and using those insights to adjust teaching, provide feedback, and plan the next steps. Quick checks for understanding, exit tickets, and similar checks reveal what students have grasped and what needs reteaching or deeper work. This differs from diagnostic assessment, which is used before instruction to identify starting knowledge or misconceptions; summative assessment, which evaluates learning after a unit; and standardized testing, which measures performance against a broad norm and isn’t used to shape day-to-day instruction. Because formative assessment continually informs what and how you teach next, it best fits the idea of being used during instruction to guide learning.