Assessment which sums up what the student has achieved, the point they have reached in their learning, to see if they qualify for a certificate or award or a place at university or a particular job.  Summative assessment usually takes place at the end of a course of study, and produces information used by third parties such as employers or admissions officers.  It is in contrast to formative assessment, which takes during a course of study, which produces information for the student and teacher and is intended to help the student learn.  The difference between the two types of assessment lies in the purpose of the assessment, rather than the form of the test or exam.  So a spelling test may be formative or summative depending on the way the results are used.

*source: UNESCO ICT Competency Framework for Teachers - Glossary (page 92-94)