FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Assessment and CritiqueEasy
At the end of a private pilot ground school course, an instructor administers a comprehensive final examination covering all topics taught during the term, and the resulting score determines whether the student passes the course. This exam is an example of which type of assessment?
- ASummative assessment
- BDiagnostic assessment
- CFormative assessment
- DNorm-referenced assessment
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Summative assessment
A summative assessment is given at the conclusion of a course of instruction to measure overall achievement and determine a final outcome, unlike formative assessments which occur during instruction to guide learning.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Diagnostic assessment is used before instruction begins to identify prior knowledge or weaknesses.
- C. Formative assessment occurs during instruction to monitor ongoing progress, not at the end.
- D. Norm-referenced describes how scores are interpreted (compared to other students), not when the test occurs.
Summative Assessment
An assessment given at the end of a unit or course to evaluate overall student achievement against course objectives.
- Occurs after instruction is complete
- Used to assign final grades or pass/fail decisions
- Contrasts with formative assessment, which occurs during instruction
Memory trick: Diagnostic before, Formative during, Summative at the finish line