What type of assessment occurs at the end of a specific period of time?

The assessment that occurs at the end of a specific period of time is known as summative assessment. This type of assessment is designed to evaluate students’ learning and understanding after a specific instructional period, such as at the end of a unit, semester, or course. Summative assessments are typically used to determine whether learners have met the required learning objectives or standards, often resulting in a grade or score that reflects their overall performance.

Summative assessments can take various forms, including final exams, end-of-term projects, or standardized tests. These assessments provide valuable information for educators regarding the effectiveness of their teaching and the extent to which students have absorbed the material.

In contrast, formative assessments occur throughout the learning process and are aimed at monitoring student learning to provide ongoing feedback. Diagnostic assessments are utilized at the beginning of an instructional period to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, while reflective assessments typically involve students evaluating their own learning processes and outcomes. Each type of assessment serves a specific purpose within the educational framework, but summative assessments are distinctly characterized by their timing at the end of a learning cycle.