INTRODUCTION OF FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF CBME

Abstract

Background: The Medical Council of India has visualized the effective outcome based strategy of Competency Based Medical Education where the assessment is the essential component of competencies. Formative assessment is a systematic approach designed for students during a particular period of study to provide motivation for learning. It helps the student to set the desired but attainable goals and to follow the steps required to achieve those specified goals. Aim: To introduce the feedback to the students during substages and after the theory tests and to assess students and teacher’s perspective towards feedback. Material and Method: The project was done in the Department of Anatomy, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar involving 1st year batch students and faculty members of Anatomy. Results: A good percentage of students were satisfied with the formative assessment and wanted the process to be continued in the subsequent years too. All the faculty members had positive response for formative assessment. Conclusion: Formative assessment is the strategy to encourage the students for self directed learning and self assessment.