Summative assessments are designed to achieve which of the following?

Summative assessments are specifically designed to evaluate and measure students' mastery of content at the end of an instructional period. This type of assessment typically occurs after a unit of study, semester, or academic year, and aims to determine whether students have achieved the learning objectives and standards set for that course or unit. The results of summative assessments are usually used to assign grades, determine overall student performance, and assess the effectiveness of the instructional program.

In contrast, other types of assessments serve different purposes. For instance, assessments designed to inform instruction focus on providing teachers with insights to adapt their teaching strategies during the learning process. Observational assessments might examine student interactions to gauge collaboration and engagement within the classroom environment, while ongoing feedback assessments are intended to support student learning through continuous input rather than at the conclusion of a learning segment. Summative assessments thus hold significance mainly in measuring cumulative knowledge and skills, thereby making option B the correct choice.