What is a key characteristic of summative assessments?

A key characteristic of summative assessments is that they are administered at specific intervals to evaluate student knowledge and understanding of the material after a unit or a course has been completed. This type of assessment is often used to determine what students have learned and whether they have met the learning objectives.

Because they take place at the end of an instructional period, summative assessments can provide a comprehensive overview of student performance and learning outcomes. They are typically used for grading purposes and to make decisions about educational effectiveness, rather than for ongoing feedback or support during the learning process. This differentiates them from formative assessments, which aim to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback to improve understanding and performance.