What is summative assessment?

Summative assessment refers to evaluative assessments that are conducted after a learning period, often at the conclusion of an instructional unit, course, or program. Its primary purpose is to evaluate and measure the extent to which students have understood and acquired the knowledge and skills intended for that learning experience. This type of assessment provides a comprehensive overview of student learning by summing up their performance over a specific duration, typically in the form of final exams, projects, or standardized tests.

This format allows educators to assess not only whether learning objectives were met but also to gauge the effectiveness of the teaching methods employed during the course. Summative assessments can also inform future instruction by highlighting areas where students may struggle, thus providing valuable data for curriculum planning and improvement.

In contrast, ongoing assessments that aim at monitoring learner progress are referred to as formative assessments. These assessments occur during the learning process and help adjust teaching strategies. Individual module feedback and peer review evaluations serve specific purposes but do not define summative assessment’s overarching goal of evaluating overall learning outcomes at the end of a designated learning period.