Which of the following best describes summative testing?

Summative testing is designed to evaluate and measure student learning and performance at the conclusion of an instructional period, such as the end of a unit, semester, or course. This type of testing aims to determine whether students have achieved the educational goals that were set and often results in a final grade. It encompasses a range of assessment types, including final exams, projects, or standardized tests.

The emphasis on measuring cumulative knowledge gained over a specific period is what distinguishes summative assessment from other types of assessments, which may focus more on gathering information during the learning process. While diagnostic assessments help identify students' strengths and weaknesses before instruction begins, and formative assessments offer ongoing feedback to enhance learning throughout the instruction, summative assessments serve a different purpose centered around measuring learning outcomes at the end of an instructional timeframe.

Ultimately, option B captures the essence of summative testing, clearly articulating its role in assessing student performance after the instructional period has concluded.