What type of assessment indicates whether students have "passed" after completing a course or module?

The type of assessment that indicates whether students have "passed" after completing a course or module is known as summative assessment. This form of assessment is typically conducted at the end of an instructional period, such as a course, unit, or module, to evaluate the overall learning and performance of students against predetermined learning objectives or standards.

Summative assessments often include final exams, end-of-term projects, or standardized tests that provide a comprehensive measure of student learning and can be used to determine if students have achieved the necessary competencies to advance to the next level or pass the course.

In contrast, formative assessment occurs during the instructional process and is used to monitor students' learning progress and provide ongoing feedback to improve teaching and learning. Criterion assessments focus on measuring a student's performance against specific standards or criteria rather than as a final measure of achievement. Diagnostic assessment is used prior to instruction to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses, guiding future teaching.