Continuous and Summative Assessments in Midwifery Education: Examining Predictive Validity and Independence in Eswatini

Assessment in nursing and midwifery education is critical for ensuring competence and progression. This study examined the relationship between continuous assessment (CA) and summative examinations among midwifery students at Good Shepherd Catholic College of Health Sciences in Eswatini (N = 30). Using total population sampling and secondary data from multiple modules, the study employed correlation and regression analyses in SPSS v23. Results indicated moderate positive correlations (r = .20–.61) between CA and examination scores, with an average r ≈ .40. Regression models yielded low adjusted R² values, suggesting that CA explained only a small portion of the variance in exam performance. Findings highlight inconsistencies between CA and summative outcomes, raising questions about assessment design, academic integrity, and predictive validity. The study recommends strengthening assessment frameworks by aligning them with Bloom’s taxonomy, implementing standardised procedures, and providing faculty development. This contributes to debates on balancing formative and summative evaluation in health professions education.