What is the main purpose of summative assessments?

The main purpose of summative assessments is to measure learning outcomes at the end of a course. These assessments are designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills that students have acquired after completing a specific educational program or unit of study. By assessing students at this concluding point, educators can determine whether the learning objectives have been met and gauge the overall effectiveness of the instructional strategies employed during the course. This information is crucial for both educators, who can use the results to improve future teaching, and students, who can gain a clearer understanding of their mastery of the content.

In contrast, ongoing feedback refers to formative assessments, which are conducted throughout the learning process to inform teaching and support student learning. Tracking student attendance is unrelated to measuring educational outcomes and focuses instead on participation. Assessing classroom engagement is also distinct from summative evaluations, as it often occurs during the learning process and helps educators understand how actively students are involved in their education.