What is summative assessment used for?

Summative assessment is specifically designed to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit or course. Its primary purpose is to determine how well students have attained the learning objectives established for a specific period of instruction. This type of assessment typically comes in the form of tests, projects, or comprehensive evaluations, which allow educators to measure the overall effectiveness of their teaching and the extent to which students have mastered the material.

By focusing on the final outcomes, summative assessments help educators reflect on the curriculum and instruction methods used, providing valuable insights about the learning endeavors as a whole. This data can serve as a basis for future curriculum modifications, new instructional strategies, or identifying areas where students may need additional support.

The other choices reflect purposes of formative assessment, which focuses on ongoing monitoring of student progress and instructional effectiveness during the process of teaching. While formative assessments provide immediate feedback and help guide real-time adjustments, summative assessments are retrospective, summarizing overall student achievement at the conclusion of the learning cycle.