Assessment Literacy Series
Types of Assessment (2 of 12)
Types of Assessment
(Video at: www.trinitycollege.com/TESOL-AL)
This video looks at the different types of assessment learners and teachers
experience on a learning journey and considers reasons for these different types of
assessment.
0:09 – 3:18 Types of assessment overview 6.50 – 8:09 Formative assessment
3:19 – 5:05 Initial assessment 8:10 – 9:43 Summative assessment
5:06 – 6:49 Diagnostic assessment
1. Before watching the video
What types of tests or exams do you use or know?
What are the purposes of these tests (e.g. are they to decide which level students
should be in)?
What do you think the following types of tests are?
Initial assessment
Diagnostic assessment
Formative assessment
Summative assessment
1
Assessment Literacy Series
Types of Assessment (2 of 12)
2. During the video
Now you either watch the rest of video and complete the table below or watch the
parts that are of interest to you can and complete only those sections.
Types of Assessment Overview (00:09)
Match the terms on the left with the terms on the right. You will not be able to
match one of the terms.
1) Initial assessment a) Assessment of learning
2) Diagnostic assessment b) Assessment for learning
3) Formative assessment c) Placement test
4) Summative assessment
Assessment Purpose When usually Example
type given
Initial
(03:19)
Diagnostic
(05:06)
Formative
(06:50)
Summative
(08:10)
Whole video activity.
What specific types of tests are mentioned in the video? Complete the mindmap
below. Add arrows as necessary.
Interviews
Tests / Exams
2
Assessment Literacy Series
Types of Assessment (2 of 12)
3. Discussion points
To what extent do you agree with the following statements? Indicate the degree of
agreement or disagreement by marking it on the continuum.
a) Initial assessments should always test the four skills, grammar and
vocabulary.
Strongly Neither Strongly
Disgaree Agree nor disagree Agree
b) There is no need to have different initial and diagnostic assessment.
Strongly Neither Strongly
Disgaree Agree nor disagree Agree
c) All formative assessments should be informal and all summative assessments
should be formal.
Strongly Neither Strongly
Disgaree Agree nor disagree Agree
d) Formative assessments should mirror the summative assessments students
are going to take.
Strongly Neither Strongly
Disgaree Agree nor disagree Agree
3
Assessment Literacy Series
Types of Assessment (2 of 12)
Now consider the following questions below.
a) Why do many initial assessments not have a speaking component?
b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using an initial assessment
for diagnostic purposes?
c) When might you consider making a formative assessment formal and/or a
summative assessment informal?
d) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using formative
assessments that mirror the students’ summative assessments?
4. Further learning
If you want to learn more about this topic, look at these resources:
Books
Baxter, A., & Seligson, P. (1997). Evaluating Your Students. London: Richmond
Publishing.
Hughes, A. (2002). Testing for Language Teachers. Cambridge: CUP.
Tummons, J. (2011). Assessing Learning in the Lifelong Learning Sector. Exeter:
Learning Matters.
Websites
http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/6-types-assessment-learning/
https://phil-race.co.uk/
Journal article
Lee, I. (2007). ‘Assessment for learning: integrating assessment, teaching, and
learning in the ESL/EFL writing classroom’. Canadian Modern Language Review, 64
(1), pp199-213.