Which of the following best describes summative assessment?

Summative assessment is best defined as evaluations that occur at the end of an instructional unit or course to measure students' overall understanding and mastery of the material presented. This type of assessment is typically designed to provide a comprehensive overview of what students have learned after a specific period of instruction. It often includes tests, final projects, or standardized exams that aim to assess cumulative knowledge and skills.

In this context, summative assessments serve multiple purposes, such as determining whether learning objectives have been met, providing feedback to instructors about curriculum effectiveness, and offering data to inform decisions about future teaching and learning strategies. They contrast with formative assessments, which are conducted during the learning process to monitor student progress and inform instruction.