What is a fundamental aspect of summative assessments?

Summative assessments are designed to evaluate student learning at the conclusion of an instructional period, such as a unit, course, or program. This type of assessment is key to determining whether students have mastered the content and skills that were taught. By focusing on measuring the outcomes of learning, summative assessments often take the form of tests, final projects, or portfolios that encompass what students have learned over time.

The other aspects provided do not align with the definition of summative assessments. Conducting assessments during the instructional process pertains more to formative assessments, which aim to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback throughout a course. Focusing on teacher feedback is also a characteristic of formative assessment, as it emphasizes guiding students during their learning journey. Unlimited attempts for mastery relate to practices often seen in formative assessments, where students are encouraged to demonstrate understanding through repeated attempts. Summative assessments, on the other hand, typically do not allow for retakes as they are intended to gauge students' understanding at a fixed point in time.