The impact of formative evaluation on the academic achievement of the BS students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences

Evaluation is one of the important aspects of educational activities that can be performed in different forms and by which the weaknesses and strengths of educational programs can be found identified. Here, the role of continuous evaluation in academic achievement of BS students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS) was studied. This is a descriptive-analytical study that was performed in cross-sectionally during a four-semester period with four classes. Students in each class were randomly divided into two groups. One group was tested continuously during the semester but no tests were given to the group. At the end of the course, the scores of the two groups of students in each class as well as all the students regardless of the type class were compared under the same conditions. Results demonstrated that in all four classes, mean scores in the students who were asked tested during the semester was significantly higher than the students who were not tested. This result was also true for all students, regardless of their field of study. From total of fifty four students who were questioned, only four students had a lower score toward other fifty four students. The findings of this study reveal that formative evaluation as classroom questioning has powerful impacts on academic achievement. Thus, achieving the educational objectives needs accurate planning and careful implementation.