Summative assessment is used for what main purpose?

Summative assessment serves the main purpose of evaluating student learning at the conclusion of an instructional sequence. This type of assessment is designed to measure the extent to which students have achieved the learning objectives and outcomes after the instruction has been delivered. By collecting data through summative assessments, educators can determine students' final understanding and mastery of the subject matter, which is crucial for grading and reporting purposes.

It is typically applied at the end of a unit, course, or academic year, making it a retrospective measure of learning. This means that it provides a snapshot of student performance and knowledge before they move on to the next level of learning. In contrast, other types of assessments are utilized for different purposes, such as formative assessments which focus on providing ongoing feedback during the learning process.