<p>What is the purpose of the pop quiz? Does pop mean unexpected or just minor? &nbsp;I see pop quizes as always being formative so they should be designed to help students see what they have learned and what they need to work on. &nbsp;Even on a scheduled test I like to ask the students some questions similar to some of the test &nbsp;to help them get into their thinking mode before passing out the test. &nbsp;I get a better picture of what they know and how good they are at problem solving if I have helped them to get their minds off of the rest of their life and into the school before they start the test.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>