summative

adjective

sum·​ma·​tive ˈsə-mə-tiv How to pronounce summative (audio)
-ˌmā-

Examples of summative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The dashboard doesn’t give specific scores but rather assigns ratings in eight areas: English language arts scores, or how far from the standard students scored on either the Smarter Balanced summative assessment or California Alternate Assessment, on average. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2025 The percent of students meeting or exceeding individual growth scores in those areas; and The percent of students meeting or exceeding their individual growth in the lowest 25% of achievement on the previous state summative exams in those areas. Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2025 Traditionally, student assessment comes in two forms: formative and summative. Ulrich Boser, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 Board member Mark Rising expressed concern about the weighting of formative and summative assessments. Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025 This would include both formative feedback, which helps instructors improve in real time, and summative evaluations, which provide a comprehensive view of their overall effectiveness. Nicholas Ladany, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Zoom in: According to results from its spring 2023 summative tests, the Oregon Department of Education found only 43% of students were proficient in English — a sign that many are not on track for college or the workforce post-high school. Russell Contreras, Axios, 23 Sep. 2024 But critics say relying on pass rates and summative ratings often separates schools with higher percentages of minority and low-income students, and doesn’t provide a full picture of a school. Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024 Considering Roc’s summative ability, Marciology would have been even stronger with a few more of those lines worked in. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of summative was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Summative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summative. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.

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