What is the difference between formative and summative evaluation in training?

• A. Formative evaluation occurs during development to improve the program; summative evaluation occurs after implementation to judge overall effectiveness.
• B. Formative is post-implementation; summative during development.
• C. Formative is about budgets; summative is about attendance.
• D. Formative uses tests; summative uses interviews.

Answer: (A)

Formative evaluation focuses on improving the training while it’s being developed and delivered. It uses frequent, quick feedback from participants, facilitators, and stakeholders to make adjustments to content, activities, and delivery methods so the program works better as it unfolds.

Summative evaluation, on the other hand, happens after the training is in place and looks at the overall results. It assesses whether learners achieved the desired outcomes, whether those gains transfer to job performance, and what the broader impact or value of the program is. The goal is to judge effectiveness and inform decisions like continuing, scaling, or redesigning the program.

So the best description is that formative evaluation is used during development to improve the program, while summative evaluation is used after implementation to judge overall effectiveness. The other options mix up timing, focus, or methods, which doesn’t capture the essential distinction.