What is the primary purpose of a summative assessment?

The primary purpose of a summative assessment is to evaluate learning at the end of a unit or course. Summative assessments are designed to measure the extent to which students have mastered the material covered in a specific timeframe. They typically occur after an instructional period, allowing teachers and educators to gauge whether students have achieved the learning objectives set out for that particular unit or course.

In contrast, the other options refer to different assessment types or functions. For example, assessments aimed at improving instruction and student learning focus more on formative assessments, which are used throughout the educational process. Similarly, assessments conducted before instruction are designed to understand prior knowledge rather than to evaluate the culmination of a learning period. Finally, encouraging peer feedback is about promoting collaborative learning and is not directly aligned with the purpose of measuring achievement at the end of a course. These distinctions highlight why the chosen answer accurately captures the essence of summative assessments.