What is the focus of a summative test?

The focus of a summative test is to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional period, such as a unit, course, or academic term. This assessment aims to measure the extent to which students have achieved the knowledge and skills outlined in the learning objectives. Summative tests are typically used to assign grades or evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs, providing a comprehensive overview of what students have learned after completing a specific segment of instruction.

In contrast, formative assessments are conducted during the instructional process to inform teaching and provide ongoing feedback to both students and instructors. Continuous assessments focus on regularly measuring student progress rather than evaluating at a single point in time. Feedback on teaching methods involves assessing instructional strategies but does not pertain specifically to measuring student learning outcomes at the conclusion of a unit. Therefore, the characteristics of summative assessments are clearly defined by their role in final evaluations of student performance.