Summative Assessment Glossary Definition

Term Summative Assessment
Definition

Summative Assessment is assessment used to judge learning, performance, or achievement at the end of a unit, course, program, or credential requirement.

Context & Usage

It is used for final grades, certification, completion decisions, or evidence of readiness, and should align with the stated learning objectives.

Summative Assessment may support grades, completion decisions, certification, accountability, or program evaluation, but it should not be merged with formative assessment.

Categories Technical Writing and Documentation, Instructional Design, Technical Training, and Learning Development