61 Formative Assessment Templates

This jumbo selection of formative assessment templates is perfect for every classroom.

61 formative assessment templates

Use these templates to monitor and enhance student learning. These questions are designed to offer variety and active participation, and support you to make real-time adjustments to your instruction.

💡 Bonus: Check out our ultimate formative assessment guide for teachers.

End-of-lesson templates

These question templates require students to reflect on the content that has just been covered, solidifying today's while supporting long term retention.

You can use these formative assessment questions as part of your exit ticket strategy. At the end of every day, allocate 2 - 5 minutes in your lesson plan to answering formative assessment exit tickets.
  • How well did you understand today's lesson?

  • Imagine your friend was away from class today and asked you to explain the lesson. What would you tell them?

  • How could the knowledge you learned today be used in the real world?

  • What’s one thing you learned in our our last class? How is it useful?

  • What's one question you still have about today's lesson?

  • How important is what you learned today? What part do you think you'll need for next class?

  • What’s the most interesting thing you learned today?

  • How did you go with today's lesson?

  • In your own words, what were you trying to learn or master today?

  • Finish this sentence: Today we were learning to...

  • What new terms or concepts did you learn today?

  • Write down 3 things you learned from today's lesson, 2 things you want to know more about, and 1 questions you have.

  • Summarise the main concepts covered in today's lesson.

  • What stands out to you about today's class? What makes you wonder?

💡 Bonus: These question templates (and more!) are available in the Ziplet question bank right now, completely free. Sign up today.

Comparison templates

These question templates are perfect for challenging students to compare and contrast different concepts or ideas.
Science examples
  • How does the water cycle differ from the carbon cycle?

  • What are the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis?

  • What distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?

  • What are the differences between transverse waves and longitudinal waves?

History examples
  • Compare the causes of World War I and World War II.

  • What are the key differences between the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire?

  • Compare the impacts of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and the United States.

  • What are the differences between the Treaty of Versailles and the Congress of Vienna?

English examples
  • How does indirect characterization differ from direct characterization?

  • How does the plot structure of a novel differ from that of a short story?

  • How does the portrayal of social class differ between "Great Expectations" and "Wuthering Heights"?

  • Compare the characteristics of a sonnet and a free verse poem.

Opinion question templates

Invite students to share their views and justify their reasoning. This is a great way to conduct a formative assessment while giving students the opportunity to express their opinions in the classroom.

You can even invite select students to share their answers with the class as an opportunity to showcase diverse ways of thinking and encourage open-mindedness in the classroom.
Science examples
  • Should scientists be allowed to experiment on animals?

  • Do you think the benefits of space exploration justify the costs?

  • Should genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be used in food production?

  • Do you believe nuclear energy is a viable solution to the world's energy needs?

History examples
  • Should historical figures be judged by today's ethical standards?

  • Was the American Declaration of Independence a radical document for its time?

  • Do you think the Industrial Revolution had a more positive or negative impact on society?

English examples
  • Do you believe poetry should always rhyme? Why or why not?

  • Should classic literature still be taught in schools?

  • What makes a protagonist relatable?

  • Is it more impactful to read a novel or watch its film adaptation?

Problem-solving templates

Present scenarios requiring analytical and reasoning skills to test your students beyond simply regurgitating information.

This activity is also a great opportunity to showcase different answers to the class. Use this as a lesson in lateral thinking and to demonstrate that there can be more than one right answer to a tricky problem.
Science examples
  • What steps would you take to reduce water pollution in your local community?

  • How would you solve the issue of antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

  • How can you use physics principles to improve the design of a paper airplane?

  • What method would you use to determine the density of an irregular object?

History examples
  • How would you resolve the conflict during the Cuban Missile Crisis if you were an advisor to JFK?

  • What reforms would you propose to prevent the fall of the Roman Empire?

  • What strategy would you use to unify various states during the rise of Napoleon?

  • How would you address the challenges of decolonization in Africa and Asia post-World War II?

English examples
  • How would you rewrite a fairy tale from the antagonist’s perspective?

  • What techniques would you use to improve character development in your own writing?

  • How can you solve inconsistencies in plot development when writing a short story?

  • How can you create a persuasive argument for an essay about a controversial topic?

Application question templates

These application questions encourage students to use their knowledge and understanding in real-world or hypothetical situations, enhancing their ability to apply learning in practical contexts.
Science examples
  • How can you use the principles of Newton’s laws of motion to explain how a roller coaster works?

  • How can you use the periodic table to predict the properties of an unknown element?

  • How can you apply the concept of energy conservation to improve energy efficiency in your home?

  • How would you apply your knowledge of genetics to determine the probability of a child inheriting a specific trait?

History examples
  • How can you use the principles of the Enlightenment to argue for a social or political reform in today's society?

  • How would you apply the economic principles behind the New Deal to address a current economic recession?

  • How can you use your knowledge of the civil rights movement to develop a campaign for equality in a contemporary issue?

  • How would you use your understanding of the causes of World War I to analyze current international conflicts?

English examples
  • How can you apply the theme of a classic novel to understand and address a modern social issue?

  • How would you use literary devices analyzed in poetry to enhance your own writing?

  • How would you use your understanding of narrative structure to outline a compelling story for a creative writing assignment?

  • How can you apply the elements of character development studied in literature to create a detailed character profile for your own short story?

Formative assessment in under 30 seconds