What is the difference between formative feedback and evaluative feedback?

• A. Formative feedback is used to judge performance at a point in time; evaluative feedback guides improvement.
• B. Formative feedback is used only after training.
• C. Formative feedback guides improvement; evaluative feedback judges performance at a point in time.
• D. There is no difference between them.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that feedback serves two different purposes: guiding ongoing development versus judging performance at a specific moment. Formative feedback is given during learning to shape what you do next—it's specific, timely, and aimed at helping you improve before a final assessment. Evaluative feedback, by contrast, is about judging how well you performed at a point in time, often resulting in a grade or certification rather than immediate guidance for improvement. That’s why the best choice says: formative feedback guides improvement; evaluative feedback judges performance at a point in time. For example, comments on a draft that tell you how to revise next are formative, while a final exam score reflects evaluative feedback.