Which of the following best describes the goal of formative assessments?

The goal of formative assessments is primarily to guide ongoing instruction and provide feedback. These assessments are conducted during the learning process, allowing educators to gather insights about student understanding, skills, and areas where they may need additional support. This real-time feedback enables educators to adjust their teaching strategies, techniques, and lesson plans to better meet the diverse needs of their students. By focusing on continuous improvement and development, formative assessments create an adaptive learning environment where both students and teachers can engage actively in the learning process, enhancing overall educational outcomes.

Other options refer to summative assessments, which evaluate students’ performance at the end of a course, and standardized testing, which focuses on measuring students against preset criteria rather than supporting their growth in an ongoing manner.