Which of the following best describes the role of formative assessments?

Formative assessments play a crucial role in the learning process by allowing educators to gather feedback that can be used to improve instruction. These assessments are typically conducted during the learning process, rather than at the end, and are designed to provide insight into students' understanding and skills. By implementing formative assessments, teachers can identify areas where students may be struggling, adjust their teaching strategies, and provide additional support where needed. This ongoing feedback loop helps create a responsive and adaptive learning environment that enhances student outcomes.

In contrast, assessments that measure final understanding or summarize student learning at the end of a unit serve different purposes, focusing more on evaluating the overall achievement rather than guiding instructional improvement. Similarly, while categorizing students into ability groups can be useful for differentiated instruction, it does not capture the iterative feedback aspect that formative assessments provide. Thus, the primary focus of formative assessments is to inform and improve teaching and learning in real-time.