This paper summarizes the key messages from the National Research and Development Centre and other research and development activity on formative assessment in adult learning. This has been an under-researched area: much of the work on formative assessment in the United Kingdom and internationally has been carried out in compulsory or higher education. While this work has generated a solid evidence base supporting the usefulness of formative assessment and identifying general techniques and activities that teachers can use with their students, until recently there has not been an attempt to relate these ideas to adult learning or to review the literature to learn how formative assessment can work with adult learners. However, recent research suggests that formative assessment may be particularly useful for adult learners, in a variety of settings.