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When designing an effective training or certification programme, it’s essential to understand the distinction between formative and summative assessments. Each plays a unique role in the evaluation process. Whether used separately or in combination, they support everything from ongoing learning to professional certification. Used together, they enable organisations to deliver robust exam preparation and achieve reliable assessment outcomes.
So, what is formative assessment, and how does it differ from summative assessment? In this article, we’ll explore both types of assessments, give real-world examples, and explain how your organisation can use them more effectively - especially if you deliver online exams at scale.
For a more comprehensive overview of educational assessments, including formative, summative, diagnostic and others, read our full guide on types of assessment in education.
What is the difference between formative and summative assessments?
While both formative and summative assessments contribute to the overall assessment strategy, they differ in timing, purpose, and impact.
Think of it like building a bridge:
- Formative assessments check the structure as you build it.
- Summative assessments sign off the final result.
Formative assessment: Helping learners prepare
Formative assessments are low-stakes tools designed to support learning. They are ideal for helping candidates prepare for high-stakes exams by identifying gaps and building confidence.
Common examples:
- Online quizzes during qualification modules
- Short scenario-based tests
- Mock exams under timed conditions
Why use formative assessments:
Formative assessments provide immediate feedback, helping candidates identify areas for improvement and stay engaged in their learning. With no formal grading, the focus remains on development rather than performance.
Educators and organisations also benefit by highlighting knowledge gaps early, allowing them to provide timely, targeted support. These assessments are highly scalable and can be delivered flexibly online with minimal administrative overhead. When integrated into a course, formative assessments guide learners through a cycle of practice and feedback, ultimately strengthening long-term retention.
Real-world example:
The University of Law uses weekly knowledge checks throughout their courses. These help learners reinforce key concepts, build on their knowledge and ensure they’re ready for the final certification exam.
Summative assessment: Confirming competence
Summative assessments are formal evaluations used at the end of a learning course to measure final performance. These are typically high-stakes and linked to qualifications, compliance, or certification.
Common examples:
- End-of-course final exams
- Industry certification tests
- Online proctored assessments
Why use summative assessments:
Summative assessments certify a learner’s competence, making them essential for compliance, regulatory approval, and professional certification. They offer a formal, standardised measure of achievement that ensures consistency across all candidates.
Often delivered under proctored conditions to ensure integrity, they are essential in high-stakes settings where outcomes affect certification or progression. Results also provide valuable insights for evaluating programme effectiveness and informing strategic decisions.
Real-world example:
American Academy of Osteopathy uses a secure online platform to deliver proctored NMM/OMM Resident certification exam. Members can earn the qualification by passing the exam, which is widely recognised in the medical industry.
Choosing the right assessment strategy
Formative and summative assessments are powerful on their own, but even more effective when used together. One helps learners grow throughout the course, the other confirms they’ve met the standard.
Benefits of using both include:
- Supporting continuous learning and long-term knowledge retention
- Identifying and addressing knowledge gaps early
- Building learner confidence ahead of high-stakes assessments
- Providing a fair and balanced measure of progress and achievement
- Enabling data-driven improvements to training and certification programmes
Deliver smarter exams with Synap
Whether you’re preparing learners for exams or running high-stakes assessments, our online platform makes it easy to manage both, securely, at scale, and with full reporting.
Ready to deliver smarter assessments? Get in touch to learn how our platform can support your exam needs with a tailored demo.
Related FAQs:
- What is the main difference between formative and summative assessment? Formative assessments are used throughout the learning process to support improvement and identify gaps. Summative assessments are used at the end of a course or programme to evaluate whether learning objectives have been met.
- Are mock exams considered formative or summative? Mock exams are typically considered formative because they help learners prepare for final assessments by simulating exam conditions and providing feedback.
- Can an assessment be both formative and summative? While assessments are usually designed with a specific purpose, some activities may serve both roles. For example, a practice test could be formative if used for preparation and summative if it contributes to the final grade.
- Why are summative assessments usually high-stakes? Summative assessments often determine formal outcomes like certification, progression, or compliance. Because of their impact, they are usually proctored and designed to be rigorous and standardised.
- How can technology support formative and summative assessments? Online platforms like Synap allow organisations to deliver both types of assessments securely and at scale. Features such as automated feedback, proctoring, and analytics streamline the process for learners and administrators alike.
