NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What type of assessment evaluates student achievement after learning has taken place?

1. Formative assessment

2. Diagnostic assessment

3. Summative assessment

4. Continuous assessment

The correct answer is: Summative assessment

The selected answer, which identifies summative assessment as the type of evaluation that measures student achievement after learning has occurred, is indeed accurate. Summative assessments are typically administered at the conclusion of a specific instructional period or unit and are designed to evaluate the extent to which students have met the learning objectives or standards. They provide a comprehensive overview of what students have learned and can include various formats such as final exams, end-of-term projects, or standardized tests. This type of assessment serves several important purposes: it helps determine overall student proficiency, informs educators about the effectiveness of their instructional strategies, and ultimately can influence decisions regarding curriculum adjustments, student placements, or the need for additional support. Summative assessments often lead to grading and reporting processes that communicate student performance to both families and educational stakeholders. In contrast, formative assessments occur during the learning process and focus on ongoing feedback to improve student understanding; diagnostic assessments are conducted before instruction to identify student strengths and weaknesses; and continuous assessments involve regular monitoring of student progress, which may happen throughout the learning process but does not specifically serve the summative goal of evaluating overall achievement post-instruction.