Teaching and Learning Handbook (A Best Practice Guide)

Summative Assessment

Summative Assessment refers to assessment activities which are intended to gauge a student’s knowledge or ability at a certain time. This often leads to accreditation.

Summative assessment, then, is quite specific and usually applies to work produced at the end of a unit or course. It might include assignments, coursework or examinations and usually follows awarding body criteria. Often it leads directly to a qualification or progression to the next stage of a course.

The content of summative assessment is usually quite prescriptive and our main job is to ensure our students are clear about the requirements. For work completed through the course, such as assignments or coursework, it is vital to be clear about requirements and deadlines. Also, you should give specific information concerning any help or guidance you are allowed to give, rules on use of rafts and details of how the work should be presented.