A unit test tells you what students learned after it is too late to change the teaching. Formative assessment happens during learning: quick checks that show you who is on track while there is still time to help. The best ones take a few minutes, involve every student and lead directly to a decision about what to do next.
Here are 22 formative assessment examples for middle and high school, organized by when you use them, plus a simple plan for turning results into action.
In this guide8 sections
Formative vs. summative assessment
| Formative | Summative | |
|---|---|---|
| When | During learning | At the end of a unit or course |
| Purpose | Adjust teaching and give feedback | Measure and grade learning |
| Stakes | Low or none | High |
| Examples | Exit tickets, whiteboards, quick polls | Unit tests, final exams, projects |
At the start of class
- Bell ringer question. One problem from yesterday shows who remembers it. See our bell ringer ideas.
- Pre-assessment poll. Three questions on the new topic before teaching it.
- KWL chart. What I know, what I want to know (and later, what I learned).
- Anticipation guide. Students agree or disagree with statements, then revisit them after the lesson.
During the lesson
- Mini whiteboards. Everyone answers at once; scan the room in seconds.
- Thumbs up, sideways, down. Quick confidence check before moving on.
- Hinge question. One multiple-choice question where each wrong answer reveals a specific misconception.
- Think-pair-share with listening. Circulate and listen to partner conversations.
- Response cards. A/B/C/D cards held up together.
- Four corners. Students move to the corner that matches their answer.
- Error analysis. Students find and fix a mistake in a worked example.
- Online quick poll. A one-question poll on devices with instant results.
During practice
- Traffic light cups. Green, yellow and red cups on desks show who needs help.
- Checkpoints. Students check answers with you after problem 3 before continuing.
- Peer feedback with a checklist. Partners review work against two or three criteria.
- Self-assessment rubric. Students rate their own work before turning it in.
- One-on-one conferences. Two-minute check-ins while others work.
At the end of class
- Exit ticket. One or two questions sorted into “got it / almost / not yet.” Our exit ticket ideas have 25 formats.
- 3-2-1 summary. Three ideas, two questions, one connection.
- Muddiest point. What was most confusing today?
- One-sentence summary. Capture the main idea in one sentence.
- Quick review game. A short low-stakes quiz game. See our classroom quiz games.
From results to action
| What you see | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Most students correct | Move on; give an extension task to early finishers |
| Split class | Pair strong and struggling students, or run a short small group |
| Most students wrong | Reteach with a new example or approach the next day |
| Same wrong answer for many | Address the specific misconception directly |
Tips for formative assessment that works
- Keep it low stakes. Students answer honestly when grades are not on the line.
- Get responses from everyone, not just volunteers.
- Act on the results the same day or the next.
- Teach students to use it too. Self-checks build habits that support active recall and better studying.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of formative assessment?
Common examples are exit tickets, mini whiteboard checks, hinge questions, quick polls, peer feedback and self-assessment rubrics.
Should formative assessments be graded?
Usually not. Their purpose is to guide teaching and give feedback, so low or no stakes produce more honest answers.
How often should I use formative assessment?
Every lesson. A quick check at the start, middle or end of class takes only a few minutes and pays off in better teaching decisions.
Choose one check for the middle of your lesson and one for the end. Use the results tomorrow, and formative assessment will quickly become the most useful five minutes of your day. For more structure, see our classroom management techniques.
