End-of-term or final examinations are examples of

Summative assessment refers to the evaluation of student learning at the end of an instructional unit, course, or academic term. Its primary purpose is to measure what students have learned against a set of standards or benchmarks, often for grading or certification purposes. End-of-term or final examinations are classic examples because they provide a comprehensive overview of a student's mastery of the entire curriculum covered over a specific period. These assessments are typically high-stakes, meaning they carry significant weight in determining a student's final grade or progression. Unlike formative assessments, which aim to monitor learning and provide ongoing feedback for improvement, summative assessments are generally conducted after learning has occurred, offering a summary judgment of achievement. They are distinct from diagnostic assessments, which identify learning difficulties before instruction, and continuous assessments, which are ongoing but may include both formative and summative elements.