Assessment, in the educational context, has been defined by Lambert, D (2000, page 4) as the process of collecting, recording and using information on pupils' responses to educational tasks . While some may view assessment as separate from the learning process, assessment is, in fact, an essential part of the learning process. Maguire, M. and Dillon, J. (2007, p. 213) highlighted that assessment is intrinsically linked to the teaching-learning cycle. Cohen et al. (2010) wrote that assessment can make an important contribution to raising standards in schools in terms of teaching, learning and student achievement. Furthermore, if assessment is administered properly with consistency, reliability, validity, and rigor, it can have a positive effect on learning and can improve students' understanding of how they can learn more effectively and improve. Although there are various types of assessment approaches, the main three used in Spanish language subjects are as follows: Assessment for Learning or formative assessment, summative assessment, and ipsative assessment or self-assessment. Assessment for LearningThe purpose of formative assessment is to find out where students are in their learning. This type of assessment is carried out daily, in every lesson. Its results will help the teacher to make informed judgments about pupils' understanding of concepts, to decide what the next stages of learning should be and, therefore, to plan effectively. Furthermore, another purpose of formative assessment is to provide students with immediate feedback on their performance. There is a wide range of ways of conducting formative assessment. The use of questions is a clear example of using formative assessment; the......middle of paper......attic. London: Routledge.Dillon, J., Maguire, M. (2007) Becoming a teacher: Issues in secondary teaching. Third edition. England: McGraw-Hill.Cohen, L. Manion, L. Morrison, K. and Wyse, D (2010) A guide to teaching practice. London: Routledge.Black, P., Wiliam, D. (1998) Inside the black box: raising standards through classroom assessment. London: King's College. Blomfield, A., Roughton, L., Scott, A. (1997) Becoming a secondary school teacher. London: Hodder ArnoldKyriacou, Chris (1997) Effective Teaching in Schools. Second edition. UK: Nelson Thornes.Barton, P. (2009) National Education Standards: Getting Under the Surface. Princeton: Educational testing service.Educational Broadcasting Corporation (2013) Teaching to Academic Standards, available at: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/standards/ (Accessed: January 2014).