Final Answer:
Your high school decides to develop a cumulative exam so that students must pass this exam in order to earn their high school diploma. This exam would be best thought of as an example of Summative evaluation.
Thus option b is correct.
Explanation:
Summative evaluation assesses learning outcomes at the end of a specific period, typically to gauge overall achievement or mastery of a subject. In this case, the cumulative exam serves as a conclusive assessment determining whether students have met the requirements for their diploma. It focuses on measuring the cumulative knowledge and skills acquired throughout high school.
This type of evaluation is different from formative evaluation (a), which monitors learning progress during instruction, diagnostic evaluation (c), which identifies strengths and weaknesses to guide further learning, and authentic evaluation (d), which emphasizes real-world applications and tasks. The summative nature of the exam makes it a final checkpoint, determining if students have achieved the necessary standards for graduation. It consolidates their learning outcomes and signifies readiness to advance beyond high school.
By evaluating students' overall performance, this summative approach provides a holistic view of their educational journey. The cumulative exam's design and purpose align with the conclusive nature of summative assessment, ensuring that students demonstrate comprehensive understanding and proficiency before receiving their high school diploma.
Therefore option b is correct.