What are summative assessments?

Summative assessments are evaluations designed to measure student learning, skill acquisition, or academic achievement at the conclusion of an instructional unit or period. They are typically used to determine whether students have met the predetermined learning objectives or standards. These assessments provide a comprehensive overview of what has been learned, often in the form of final exams, projects, or standardized tests, and are crucial for assigning grades or making decisions about a student's progression.

The essence of summative assessments is their timing; they are implemented after instruction is complete, allowing educators to assess the cumulative knowledge and skills students have gained. This contrasts with formative assessments, which are ongoing check-ins that occur during the learning process to monitor progress and guide instruction.

The other options focus on different aspects of assessment. Informal check-ins during the learning process represent formative assessments, self-reflection tools are more about student awareness and growth rather than evaluation, and peer-reviewed assignments do not universally apply to summative assessments. Thus, the primary characteristic of summative assessments is their role at the end of an instructional sequence, aligning with the selected response.