Formal vs. Informal Assessments: What’s the Difference?

Formal Assessments are the big, official tests—think standardized exams, end-of-unit tests, or language proficiency checks. They’re usually graded, give you a score, and show how students stack up against a set standard.

Informal Assessments are quick, on-the-fly checks to see if students "get it." These aren’t graded and happen during class—like exit tickets, thumbs up/down, or class discussions. They help teachers adjust lessons right away based on what students understand (or don’t).

Why I Picked Exit Tickets

After checking out different ways to quickly see if students understand, I went with exit tickets. They’re a fast, easy way to wrap up a lesson and see what stuck. For example, if kids are learning to tell time, an exit ticket can show if they can read a clock and write about it using the right words and grammar.

Why Exit Tickets Work for English Learners (ELLs):

No Pressure: Since it’s not graded, kids feel okay making mistakes and trying their best.
Double-Check Learning: I can see if they get the content (like reading a clock) and the language (like using "past" or "to" correctly).
Plan Better Lessons: The answers help me group kids for the next day—who needs more help with time, who needs practice with words, etc.
Helps Memory: Writing down what they learned helps kids remember the key ideas and vocabulary in their minds.

Created Classroom-Based Assessment: Exit Ticket

Age Group: 2nd-3rd Grade
Content Area: Math (Telling Time)
Content Objective: Students will be able to read an analog clock and write the digital time.
Language Objective: Students will write a complete sentence using a time expression (e.g., "The time is...") and the correct preposition (past or to).

Math Exit Ticket

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Today we learned about Telling Time!

⏰ Look at the clock. Then, write 1 complete sentence to answer the question below.
What time is it?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Word Bank (if you need it): hour, minute, hand, two, ten, fifty, past, to

Data Tracking Method

To track the data from these exit tickets, I’ll use a simple spreadsheet. It lets me spot trends for the whole class and individual students over time. I’ll use symbols (✅, Δ, ❌) for quick reviews.

Spreadsheet Sample: Exit Ticket Data Tracker - Telling Time

Student Name	Content Understanding (Correct Digital Time: 2:50 or 10 to 3)	Language Use (Used "to" correctly in a sentence?)	Notes & Follow-Up
Maria	✅	✅	Wrote "It is ten to three." Perfect.
Choi	✅	Δ	Wrote "It is 2:50." Time is correct! Small group to practice the "to" and "past" language structure.
James	❌	N/A	Wrote "It is 2:10." Re-teach the minute hand. 1-on-1 practice.
Sofia	✅	✅	Wrote "The time is ten minutes before three o'clock." Excellent conceptual understanding and language.
Class Totals	16/20 ✅	12/20 ✅	Trend: 4 students need concept review on minute hand; 8 need language support with prepositions.

Coding Key:

✅ = Proficient: Shows understanding/accuracy.
Δ = Developing: Partial understanding or minor errors (e.g., correct time but language error).
❌ = Beginning: Big misunderstanding or errors.

This tracking method gives a clear, quick view of both content and language skills for each student and the whole class, helping me plan the next lesson.