PGCE Assessment for Learning 2

Question 1

What is the difference between formative and summative assessment?

Accepted Answer

Formative assessment informs ongoing learning; summative assessment measures attainment at a point in time

Answer

Formative assessment is ongoing and used to adjust teaching and learning; summative assessment measures achievement at a defined endpoint (e.g., end of unit test, exam).

Question 2

What does 'self-assessment' require pupils to do, and why is it a valuable AfL strategy?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate their own work against success criteria, developing metacognitive awareness and ownership of learning

Answer

Self-assessment requires pupils to actively engage with success criteria, developing metacognitive skills — the ability to monitor and regulate their own learning — which is strongly linked to attainment.

Question 3

What is 'peer assessment' and what are the conditions for it to be effective?

Accepted Answer

Pupils evaluating each other's work against shared success criteria — effective when criteria are clear, training is provided, and the classroom culture is safe

Answer

Peer assessment is effective when criteria are explicit, pupils are trained to give specific feedback, and psychological safety exists — rushing it without preparation leads to superficial or unhelpful responses.

Question 4

What is 'think-pair-share' and how does it support AfL?

Accepted Answer

Pupils think individually, discuss with a partner, then share with the class — giving thinking time, safe rehearsal, and evidence of understanding for the teacher

Answer

Think-pair-share is an AfL strategy that ensures all pupils process a question, rehearse their thinking in a safe pair conversation, and then contributes to whole-class evidence of understanding.

Question 5

What does Hattie's research in 'Visible Learning' identify as the most powerful influence on pupil achievement?

Accepted Answer

Feedback

Answer

Hattie's meta-analysis identified feedback as having an effect size of 0.70 — one of the highest influences on pupil achievement, confirming the centrality of quality feedback to learning.

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE Practice Test

PGCE Assessment for Learning 2