California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination (CPACE) Practice Exam

Formative assessments are specifically designed to support and enhance student learning throughout the educational process. They are typically conducted on an ongoing basis during instruction, allowing educators to monitor student progress, provide real-time feedback, and make necessary adjustments to teaching strategies or approaches. This continual assessment helps identify students' strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that they grasp concepts before moving on to more advanced material.

In contrast, summative assessments are generally conducted at the end of a unit, course, or academic term and are aimed at evaluating student learning against a specific set of standards or benchmarks. These assessments often carry significant weight in determining final grades and are not primarily intended for ongoing feedback or improvement during the learning process.

The other choices imply narrow or inaccurate definitions of formative and summative assessments, focusing on elements such as timing or their communication purpose, rather than the core differences in their role in education.