As the semester winds down, it’s time for summative assessments. If you’re teaching Financial Algebra, here are three options.

1. Final Exam

The Financial Algebra Course includes one diagnostic and one final exam. You can find those by clicking Summative Assessments on the Financial Algebra course page. 

The diagnostic and final exams each feature: 

• Part 1: Twenty multiple-choice questions on personal finance content
• Part 2: Ten multiple-choice questions focused on math from the entire course
• Part 3: Five open-response math questions
• A matrix listing each question by unit [found in the answer key]

Available formats

• An editable Google Doc version of the test
• A Google Form version of the test for automated grading of the multiple-choice sections
• An answer key, available only when logged into a verified NGPF teacher account

The Diagnostic and Final each test the same content on a question-by-question basis, so that you can use the exams to measure growth from start to finish of the course. 

2. CREATE: My Financial Flipbook

This summative activity provides students with a beautiful template they can use to record their biggest takeaways from each unit, including:

• #UNIT TIP -- A tip you learned that you want to remember in the future (example: #InvestingTip: Buy low, sell high.)
• DO THIS -- General best practices to manage your finances (example: Revisit my budget 2x/year to see if I need to make any adjustments.) 
• GOALS -- What are your financial goals? When do you want to reach them? (example: Build a 6 month emergency fund by January of next year.) 
• INSPIRATION -- Quotes, images, etc. that motivate you to reach your personal finance goals (example: a picture of Spain to motivate you to save up for an upcoming trip.) 
• REFLECT -- What questions can you ask yourself on a regular basis to make sure your personal finances reflect your values and goals? (example: I value giving back to the community; does my budget reflect that?)

Check it out: CREATE: My Financial Flipbook!

The end result is a collection of their biggest takeaways from each unit that they will be able to refer back to as they move through their financial lives. Here are 10 creative ways teachers use this activity. You could easily modify this activity to include one major math skill from each unit.

3. Pull From Unit Tests

Every Financial Algebra unit ends with a unit test. If you need additional assessment questions, consider pulling from the unit tests for any units that you taught. You can find these at the bottom of each unit page, after the individual lessons.

Modifying Tests

The Financial Algebra exams assess the main math and personal finance objectives from all lessons. We understand you may choose to cut some content to meet student needs or scheduling constraints. At the bottom of each exam answer key, you can find every exam question mapped to which lesson or unit it assesses, making it easy to cut questions you didn't teach.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.