adjective · neutral

formative

UK/ˈfɔːmətɪv/US/ˈfɔːrmətɪv/FOR·ma·tive

Band 7+task2task1speaking

relating to assessment or feedback intended to improve learning during the process rather than to give a final grade

Examples

Formative feedback during the semester helped students correct mistakes early.

Lecturers use formative assessments such as quizzes to check progress.

Unlike summative tests, formative activities focus on improvement.

Band 8 sentence

In our department, formative feedback from peers is integrated into tutorials to promote continuous improvement.

Collocations

  • formative assessment
  • formative feedback

Word family

formatively adverbformative assessment noun phrase

Common mistakes

formativesformative

formatting assessmentformative assessment

Say it for a higher band

5ongoing6continuous assessment7+formative

Synonyms

ongoing

Easily confused

summative

The final exam is a summative assessment of the entire course.

Related words

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