What types of assessment are there?
What types of assessment are there?
There are three main types of assessment and they relate to how the assessment is used.
![](https://scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0010/474076/Diagnostic-icon.png)
Diagnostic
Diagnostic assessment is used to identify student strengths and weaknesses. It may be used before or during a learning cycle to pinpoint where to provide support.
![](https://scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0004/474079/Formative-icon.png)
Formative
Formative assessment is used to monitor student progress during a teaching and learning cycle. It can be used to give a student feedback about how well they have performed or what they need to do to improve. It can also help a teacher judge how much students have learnt and whether all students are able to show their ability.
![](https://scsa.wa.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0005/474089/Summative-icon.png)
Summative
Summative assessment is used to make a 'final' determination of student achievement. It usually comes at the end of teaching and learning cycle. The length of a teaching and learning cycle may vary. Summative assessment should enable students to show their ability.