Which term describes the ongoing checks during instruction used to guide teaching and adjust instructional approaches?

• A. End-of-unit test
• B. Summative evaluation
• C. Formative assessment
• D. Benchmark exam

Answer: (C)

Formative assessment involves ongoing checks during instruction to gauge student understanding and adjust teaching accordingly. It gives immediate feedback that helps you decide whether to re-teach a concept, slow down, or provide targeted practice, keeping instruction responsive to what students actually need. Examples include quick questions, exit tickets, think-pair-share, and teacher observations—each helping reveal areas of confusion in real time. This is different from end-of-unit tests, which measure what was learned after instruction and often contribute to a final grade. Benchmark exams are standardized measures used to compare performance across groups or against targets, rather than guiding daily teaching.