Which assessment compares student learning against a benchmark?

The choice of summative assessment is appropriate because this type of evaluation is specifically designed to measure student learning against a predefined set of standards or benchmarks at the end of an instructional period. Summative assessments often occur at the conclusion of a unit, semester, or course and may take the form of final exams, standardized tests, or major projects. The primary purpose is to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the education provided and gauge students’ mastery of the subject matter.

In contrast, formative assessments are conducted throughout the learning process and are aimed at monitoring student progress and informing instructional adjustments rather than measuring against benchmarks. Midterm assessments, while they may provide a snapshot of learning, do not traditionally set their own benchmarks; they are more of a checkpoint in the course. Continuous assessments, similar to formative assessments, focus on ongoing evaluation and feedback rather than a final comparison to a benchmark. Therefore, summative assessment clearly stands out as the correct choice for comparing student learning against specific standards.