What is NOT a characteristic of effective formative assessments?

Effective formative assessments are designed to inform both educators and students about the learning process and understanding of concepts throughout a course.

When considering the characteristics of effective formative assessments, one key aspect is that they are meant to serve a defined purpose, which guides what and how learning is measured at various stages. Effective formative assessments also highlight student learning by providing ongoing feedback that helps educators adjust instruction to better meet the needs of their students. Furthermore, they should align with learning outcomes, ensuring that what is being assessed is directly related to the goals of the curriculum.

In contrast, requiring a final exam to validate results does not fit within the typical framework of formative assessments. Formative assessments are ongoing and continuous, aiming to support learning rather than serve as a definitive measure of achievement like a final exam does. This characteristic sets formative assessments apart from summative assessments, which evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit.