Summative Assessment
Evaluative assessment OF learning administered at the end of a unit, quarter, or term to measure student mastery of content and performance standards for grading per DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015.
Overview
Summative assessment evaluates student learning achievement at the end of an instructional period—such as a unit, chapter, or grading quarter. In the Philippine Department of Education system, DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 governs summative assessment, establishing that quarter grades are calculated from three components: Written Works (WW), Performance Tasks (PT), and Quarterly Assessment (QA) (with DO 31, s. 2020 updating interim weights during emergency modalities). Summative assessments measure the extent to which learners have attained the Content Standards (what learners should know) and Performance Standards (what learners can do). The resulting scores are recorded, weighted, and transmuted into official report card grades.
History
In Philippine public education, summative grading evolved significantly from raw percentage scoring to the Knowledge-Process-Understanding-Product (KPUP) model under DepEd Order No. 73, s. 2012, and subsequently to the current policy under DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015. DO 8, s. 2015 streamlined component weights across learning areas, emphasizing Performance Tasks (30% to 60%) and Written Works (20% to 40%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020 temporarily suspended formal Quarterly Exams in favor of combined Written Works and Performance Tasks. Under the MATATAG Curriculum (DepEd Order No. 010, s. 2024), summative assessments remain the primary benchmark for certifying competency attainment.
Framework Structure
1. Alignment & TOS Preparation
Purpose
Construct a Table of Specifications (TOS) ensuring proportional coverage of learning competencies and cognitive levels.
Expected Outcome
A balanced, content-valid assessment matrix.
Teacher's Role
Maps competencies, determines item distribution across cognitive levels, and calculates weightings.
Student's Role
Receives study guides and competency checklists derived from the TOS.
2. Instrument Construction & Validation
Purpose
Draft high-quality test items and scoring rubrics aligned directly with content and performance standards.
Expected Outcome
Validated test paper, answer keys, and standardized scoring rubrics.
Teacher's Role
Drafts test items, constructs rubric keys, conducts peer validation, and prints test packages.
Student's Role
Reviews content summaries and completes practice review exercises.
3. Standardized Administration
Purpose
Administer the assessment under consistent, fair, and secure testing conditions.
Expected Outcome
Authentic student answer sheets or completed performance artifacts.
Teacher's Role
Explains directions, maintains test security, manages timing, and clarifies legitimate instructions.
Student's Role
Completes the written examination or executes the performance task independently.
4. Scoring & Item Analysis
Purpose
Evaluate student responses objectively and compute difficulty and discrimination indices.
Expected Outcome
Raw scores recorded in class records and item analysis identifying retaught competencies.
Teacher's Role
Scores tests using answer keys/rubrics, calculates mean scores, standard deviation, and item difficulty.
Student's Role
Receives graded papers, reviews errors, and seeks clarification on evaluated marks.
5. Grade Transmutation & Reporting
Purpose
Convert raw component scores into weighted percentages and official DepEd transmuted grades.
Expected Outcome
Official quarter grade recorded on DepEd Form 138 / Form 137.
Teacher's Role
Enters scores into DepEd E-Class Record, applies component weights, and transmutes grades per DO 8, s. 2015 tables.
Student's Role
Receives quarter grade on Form 138 (Report Card) and discusses academic progress with teacher/parents.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Conducting Summative Assessment in DepEd Schools:
Step 1: Build the Table of Specification (TOS) Calculate total teaching hours for the quarter. Divide hours per competency to determine item allocation. Assign items across Bloom's/Marzano's levels (e.g., 60% Easy/Remembering, 30% Average/Applying, 10% Difficult/Evaluating).
Step 2: Draft Assessment Tasks For Written Works, construct multiple-choice, short-answer, or essay items matching the TOS. For Performance Tasks, define a clear GRASPS scenario and explicit rubric.
Step 3: Conduct Pre-Assessment Verification Have your Department Head or Master Teacher review the TOS and test draft using the DepEd Test Evaluation Checklist to verify content validity.
Step 4: Administer and Score Security Administer the exam under quiet, well-lit conditions. Score objective items with a master key and performance tasks using analytic rubrics.
Step 5: Record and Transmute Log raw scores into the DepEd E-Class Record. Calculate percentage scores per component, multiply by subject weights (e.g., Languages: 30% WW, 50% PT, 20% QA), sum the weighted scores, and map to the DepEd Transmutation Table.
Classroom Example
At the end of Quarter 2 in Grade 10 Araling Panlipunan (covering Globalization and Economic Issues), the teacher conducts a Summative Assessment. The assessment consists of: (1) A 30-item Written Work test covering definitions and policy analysis, weighted at 30%; (2) A Performance Task where students create a position paper on local labor migration (weighted at 50%); and (3) A 20-item Periodical Test (weighted at 20%). The teacher prepares a 50-item TOS beforehand, validates it with the AP Department Head, administers the exam, and runs an item analysis that reveals 65% of students missed Item 14 (WTO tariffs). The teacher uses this result to review tariffs during the Quarter 3 introductory session.
Advantages
- Provides standardized, objective measurements of student mastery against national standards.
- Generates formal data required for student progression, remediation decisions, and reporting.
- Establishes clear accountability for curriculum coverage across quarters.
- Enables comparison of student achievements against established DepEd performance benchmarks.
- Combines written, performance, and exam components for comprehensive evaluation.
Limitations
- Occurs after instruction, leaving little room for immediate instructional corrections for the evaluated unit.
- Can create high testing anxiety among students if not balanced with strong formative practice.
- If improperly designed without a TOS, test items may fail to measure higher-order thinking skills.
Best Subject Areas
These are recommendations, not strict rules. Many frameworks can be adapted across subjects.
Common Mistakes
Constructing test papers without preparing a formal Table of Specifications (TOS).
Including items on concepts that were never taught during classroom instruction.
Failing to conduct item analysis to identify poorly constructed or ambiguous test questions.
Miscalculating component weights in the DepEd E-Class Record.
Teacher Tips
Always archive your TOS, test paper, answer key, and item analysis in your DepEd Instructional Portfolio.
Use the automated DepEd E-Class Record template to avoid manual grade transmutation errors.
Provide students with a clear study guide 1 week prior to the summative exam date.
Blank Planning Template
Fill in each section with your own lesson plan details. This is a blank template — do not expect a completed lesson plan.
1. Quarter & Target Content/Performance Standards
Specify the quarter, unit title, and corresponding DepEd content and performance standards.
2. Table of Specification (TOS) Grid
List competencies, teaching hours, number of items, item placement, and cognitive taxonomy distribution.
3. Assessment Components & Weight Allocations
Indicate component weights based on DO 8, s. 2015 (Written Works %, Performance Tasks %, Quarterly Exam %).
4. Item Analysis & Action Plan
Record item difficulty index, discrimination index, and specific competencies marked for re-teaching.
Printable Checklist
0 of 5 items checked
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the component weights for subjects under DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015?
For Languages, AP, and EsP: Written Works (30%), Performance Tasks (50%), Quarterly Exam (20%). For Science and Math: Written Works (40%), Performance Tasks (40%), Quarterly Exam (20%). For MAPEH and EPP/TLE: Written Works (20%), Performance Tasks (60%), Quarterly Exam (20%).
Can a student fail a quarter if they skip the Performance Tasks?
Yes. Performance Tasks account for 40% to 60% of the total raw grade in DepEd. Skipping performance tasks severely lowers the weighted percentage score, almost guaranteeingly dropping the transmuted grade below the passing mark of 75.
What is grade transmutation in DepEd?
Grade transmutation converts the learner's total weighted score (percentage out of 100) to a transmuted grade using the official DepEd Transmutation Table in DO 8, s. 2015, where a minimum weighted score of 60% transmutes to the passing grade of 75.
References
Policy Guidelines on Classroom Assessment for the K to 12 Basic Education Program (DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015)
Department of Education (2015) — DepEd Official Gazette, Manila, Philippines
Interim Guidelines for Assessment and Grading in Light of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020)
Department of Education (2020) — DepEd Official Gazette, Manila, Philippines
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Summative Assessment and Tests on Students' Motivation for Learning
Harlen, W., & Deakin Crick, R. (2002) — Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre, University of London