What is an example of a summative assessment?

A summative assessment is designed to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. The purpose of summative assessments is to measure the extent to which students have learned the material taught, often in the form of a cumulative score.

A final exam or project completed at the end of a course exemplifies summative assessment because it encapsulates what students have learned throughout the entire course. It serves as a comprehensive evaluation tool that provides evidence of students' understanding and mastery of the subject matter they have studied, often determining their final grades.

In contrast, daily quizzes, midterm feedback forms, and in-class participation evaluations are more formative in nature, focusing on ongoing assessment and support of learning throughout the course rather than providing a final measure of understanding at the conclusion of the instructional period.