Which type of evaluation measures the overall performance at the end of a course?

Summative evaluation is designed to measure the overall performance and learning outcomes of students at the conclusion of a course or program. It provides a comprehensive assessment of what students have achieved after a specific instructional period, often using tools like final exams, projects, or presentations. This type of evaluation is critical for determining the effectiveness of the teaching methods and the extent to which learning objectives have been met.

In contrast, formative evaluation occurs during the instructional process, focusing on providing feedback and improving learning before reaching a final state. Ongoing assessment is a continuous evaluation that helps track student progress throughout a course, while diagnostic assessment is used at the start of a course to identify students' prior knowledge and skills. These approaches serve different purposes in the learning cycle, but summative evaluation specifically targets the culmination of learning outcomes at the end of a course, making it the most appropriate choice for assessing overall performance.