Consider the nature of the course material or skill set you wish to assess. There should be a connection between the content and form of the assessment. This doesn't mean that the assessment has to mimic the content. If your lesson plans consisted of worksheets and written assignments, your assessment doesn't have to include any writing. Instead, students could verbally describe the content they have learned. Give students a means of demonstrating their knowledge that is natural and appropriate.
Choose a variety of methods for assessing students' mastery of content. Students have different modes of communicating information and demonstrating knowledge. Ensure that your assessment tools include methods of communication for the verbal communicator, the good writer and the creative communicator who excels when expressing himself in a nonconventional manner. Allow students some choice when it comes to final projects and presentations.
Everything in the classroom, including assessments, should help students learn. Choose assessments that have a high pedagogical value and help reinforce important skills and content. One way to increase the pedagogical value of any assessment tool is to give students answer keys or rubrics and let them evaluate their own tests. This proactive approach allows students to key in on their own strengths and weaknesses.
Regular, smaller assessments help students retain information more than infrequent, larger assessments. Consider introducing daily or weekly quizzes into your classroom routine. These smaller assessments give students an incentive to avoid procrastinating. They also give students a chance to demonstrate their knowledge and improvement without all the pressure of a huge final exam or major test.