Ace the RICA Readiness Challenge 2026 – Amp Up Your Teaching Skills!

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. The primary purpose of these assessments is to measure students' achievement of target standards. This means that summative assessments provide a comprehensive overview of what students have learned and how well they have met the specific goals set for the course or unit.

These assessments typically occur at the end of an instructional period, such as the end of a semester or after a unit of study, and they can take various forms, including final exams, standardized tests, or projects. The data obtained from summative assessments is often used to inform decisions about grades, curriculum adjustments, or interventions needed for students who may not have achieved the desired standards.

In contrast, assessing prior knowledge, understanding of instructional goals, or participation in class activities involves different types of assessments that are more formative in nature. Formative assessments aim to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to enhance their learning processes. Thus, the essence of summative assessments lies in their role in determining the level of achievement relative to established standards.