FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which assessment type typically evaluates students at the conclusion of a unit or course?

1. Formative

2. Summative

3. Diagnostic

4. Continuous

The correct answer is: Summative

The assessment type that typically evaluates students at the conclusion of a unit or course is summative assessment. Summative assessments are designed to measure what students have learned and how well they have achieved the desired learning outcomes after a particular instructional period. They are often used to determine students’ overall performance and are frequently reflected in grades, providing a summary of their learning at the end of a course or unit. This type of assessment includes final exams, end-of-term projects, or standardized tests, and it helps educators gauge the effectiveness of their instruction and the curriculum. By assessing students at this endpoint, educators can review the level of mastery achieved and identify areas where students may need further support or enrichment in future learning endeavors. In contrast, formative assessments are used during the learning process to monitor student progress and provide ongoing feedback, helping educators adjust their teaching methods. Diagnostic assessments occur before instruction to identify students’ prior knowledge and skills, while continuous assessments involve regular checks of understanding throughout the learning journey. Each of these serves different purposes in the educational process, but summative assessments specifically focus on evaluating the final mastery of learning objectives at the end of a unit or course.