What is summative testing?

Summative testing is defined as assessment conducted after a specific instructional period to evaluate students' overall understanding and achievement of the material. This type of testing often occurs at the end of a unit, course, or program, serving as a comprehensive measure of what students have learned. Summative assessments help educators determine if learning goals were met and are often used for assigning grades or credits.

Such assessments differ from formative assessments, which are ongoing checks for understanding throughout the learning process. While formative assessments guide instruction and provide feedback during learning, summative assessments serve a different purpose by assessing the cumulative knowledge and skills students have acquired after instruction has concluded.