Several times throughout the year, my students take interim assessment. These assessments cover material from each unit to date.
This assessment contains 38 questions, 28 multiple choice, 6 short answer questions worth 2 points each, 3 questions worth 4 points each, and 1 question worth 6 points. I grade the exam on using a scale depending on how the students do. It should take the students approximately 90 minutes. Students need a compass and straight edge for the constructions.
Interim assessments help teachers gather information about what their students know and can be used to inform teaching. If I notice many students difficulty with specific topics even after the assessment, I build in extra practice into future lessons.
In my school, we have time set aside for Interim Assessments; however, this assessment can be split into two lessons. I usually average the students' grades on the assessment into their semester grade, but it can also be used strictly as a formative assessment to show student progress.