Which type of assessment typically includes multiple-choice questions?

Summative assessment is designed to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. It typically includes a variety of question formats, including multiple-choice questions, which are effective for assessing knowledge retention and understanding of material. This type of assessment is often utilized for grading purposes and to determine whether learning objectives have been met.

In contrast, formative assessments are more about monitoring student learning to provide ongoing feedback that can be used by instructors to improve their teaching and by students to improve their learning. Performance assessments involve students demonstrating their skills and knowledge through practical tasks rather than answering questions. Process assessments focus on the ongoing development and progress of students’ skills, often emphasizing the learning journey rather than just the end results. Thus, summative assessment is the most aligned context for the use of multiple-choice questions.