What is summative assessment primarily used for in education?

Summative assessment is primarily utilized to evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit. This type of assessment serves as a comprehensive measure of what students have learned over a specific time frame and is often used to assess the effectiveness of both the instructional methods and the curriculum itself. By analyzing students' performance through summative assessments such as final exams, projects, or standardized tests, educators can determine whether educational goals and learning objectives have been met.

Comparatively, ongoing student feedback, daily monitoring of classroom activities, and peer feedback are functions more aligned with formative assessments, which are designed to inform instruction and support student learning throughout the educational process rather than solely measuring outcomes at the unit's end. Summative assessments thus play a critical role in providing a snapshot of student achievement and educational efficacy after instruction has occurred.