While any form of assessment may yield diagnostic, formative, or summative information, assessment strategies may vary for each of these purposes. By closely examining each of the three purposes, one can more easily differentiate among them and thus ensure that all forms of assessment are used appropriately on a regular basis. The thrust of formative assessment is toward improving learning and instruction. Therefore, the information should not be used for assigning marks as the assessment often occurs before students have had full opportunities to learn content or develop skills. The instruments used in formative assessments provide information or data that teachers, parents, and students may use to identify factors that facilitate or hinder student learning.
Diagnostic assessment is a highly specialized procedure.
This form of assessment is much more comprehensive and detailed than formative assessment. Diagnostic assessments probe the underlying causes of student learning difficulties. This information can help determine why some learning experiences may be more beneficial to a student's learning. This is important to know before developing and implementing a plan of intervention collaborating with others to improve the student's learning Gathering information on a student's performance may facilitate developing an individualized plan to improve student learning. Summative assessment is usually conducted at the end of a block of instruction and is designed to determine to what extent students have attained learning outcomes.