FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What type of test should a teacher use to determine if a student has mastered an instructional objective?

1. Formative assessment

2. Diagnostic assessment

3. Authentic assessment

4. Summative assessment

The correct answer is: Summative assessment

A summative assessment is designed specifically to evaluate a student's learning at the conclusion of an instructional unit by measuring their mastery of the objectives. This type of assessment typically occurs after a period of instruction and aims to provide an overall picture of what the student has retained and understood. Summative assessments are often structured as tests that assess knowledge, skills, or competencies and can include standardized tests, final projects, or end-of-unit exams. The key characteristic of a summative assessment is its focus on the end result of the learning process, allowing teachers to determine whether students have achieved the instructional objectives outlined for the course. The data gathered from summative assessments can be used to gauge overall program effectiveness and inform future instructional decisions. Other types of assessments, such as formative assessments, are used throughout the learning process to monitor progress and adjust teaching as needed. While diagnostic assessments help identify specific learning needs before instruction begins, and authentic assessments involve real-world tasks that demonstrate application of skills, they do not provide the conclusive mastery evaluation that summative assessments do.