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Strategy guide

Formative Assessment Examples

Last updated: October 21, 2026

Formative assessment examples are everywhere, but the point is not the technique—it's what you do with the information. A check that doesn't change what happens next is just an activity. The examples below are grouped by when you use them during a lesson, with a note on what each tells you and how to respond.

What are examples of formative assessment during a lesson?

Use quick checks that show you every student's thinking at once, not just volunteers. Mini whiteboards, hinge questions with lettered answers, and fist-to-five ratings let you see the whole room in seconds.

  1. Mini whiteboards held up on a signal
  2. Hinge question with A/B/C/D answers on fingers
  3. Fist-to-five confidence
  4. Thumbs up/sideways/down
  5. Observation checklist while circulating

Formative assessment examples by lesson phase

PhaseExampleWhat it tells you
StartBell ringer review problemRetention from yesterday
MiddleHinge questionWhether to move on
PracticeObservation checklistWho needs help now
EndExit ticketPlan for tomorrow
UnitPre-testWhat to skip or emphasize

How do I act on formative assessment results?

Decide in advance what you'll do for each outcome. If 80% or more have it, move on and support the rest in a small group. If fewer than half, reteach differently. Write the decision rule next to the question in your plan.

  1. Set a threshold before asking.
  2. Have a plan B explanation ready.
  3. Pull a small group for those who need it.
  4. Re-check after reteaching.
  5. Record trends, not every score.

What does formative assessment look like in one lesson?

**Grade level:** 6th grade math, ratios. **Start:** Bell ringer: "Write the ratio of red to blue in this picture." 24 of 27 correct. **Middle:** Hinge question on whiteboards: "Which is equivalent to 3:4? A) 6:7 B) 9:12 C) 4:3." 16 B, 8 A, 3 C. Below the 80% rule, so the teacher reteaches with a ratio table. **Re-check:** A second similar question—25 correct. **End:** Exit ticket; the 'not yet' pile becomes tomorrow's small group.

Frequently asked questions about formative assessment examples

What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?
Formative assessment happens during learning to guide teaching; summative assessment measures learning at the end of a unit.
Should formative assessments be graded?
Generally no. They work best as low-stakes feedback.
What is a hinge question?
A multiple-choice question at a key point in the lesson where each wrong answer reveals a specific misconception.
How often should I use formative assessment?
Several times a lesson, in quick forms.

Sources & citations

Claims about pricing, features, privacy, and classroom use are checked against the sources below. Vendor pages are the primary reference for product-specific details.

  1. [1]U.S. Department of Education

    Federal K–12 education policy and student privacy guidance

  2. [2]ISTE Standards for Educators

    Technology integration and instructional design benchmarks

  3. [3]Common Sense Education

    EdTech privacy ratings and classroom implementation reviews

  4. [4]Learning Forward — Standards for Professional Learning

    Evidence-based professional learning practices for teachers

  5. [5]ASCD — Whole Child education resources

    Instructional leadership and classroom practice research

  6. [6]Badge Your Classroom

    Publisher of this guide