ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge Practice Exam

What type of information is typically gathered using a formative student assessment?

1. Summative evaluations of student performance

2. Patterns of student errors

3. Final rankings of students

4. Overall grade averages

The correct answer is: Patterns of student errors

Formative assessments are designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can help both the teacher and the students identify areas that need improvement. Gathering patterns of student errors is crucial in this context, as it allows the teacher to pinpoint specific misunderstandings or difficulties that learners may be facing. This information is used to inform instructional decisions, modify teaching strategies, and provide targeted support to students, promoting a more personalized learning experience. In contrast, summative evaluations of student performance, final rankings of students, and overall grade averages are more aligned with summative assessments, which assess student learning at the conclusion of an instructional period. These assessments typically provide a snapshot of a student's performance rather than ongoing insights into their learning process, which is the primary focus of formative assessments.