Overview of Principles and Concepts of Assessments

Concepts of Assessments

Concepts are the aspects involved through the assessment process and will include:

• • Accountability

The assessor needs to be accountable to their learners and to the organisation they are working for to ensure they are carrying out the role of an assessor correctly. The learners should know why they are being assessed and what they have to do to meet the assessment criteria. The assessor will also be accountable to the awarding body if assessing an accredited qualification along with employers if assessing within the work place environment.

• • Achievement

An Assessor maybe required analysing achievement data and comparing it to national or organisational targets.

• • Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategy is to ensure the subject is assessed in accordance with relevant guidance and regulations, to give quality service to the learners, and maintain the reputation of an organisation and the qualification. If assessing within the work environment, the starting point should be the company standards to the job specifications.

• • Benchmarking

Involves carrying comparing what is the acceptable standard for a particular subject against the current position of your own learner’s performance. By using benchmarking data can help target setting for the learners. If they do not achieve the benchmark, an evaluation will need to take place and improvements be implemented.

• • Evaluation

All aspects of the assessment cycle should be evaluated on an ongoing basis and feedback obtained from all involved.

• • Internally or Externally devised assessment methods

Internally devised assessments can be assignments, projects or questions which would normally be marked by the assessor. Externally devised assessments such as exams would be marked by the awarding body.

• • Progression

Should be taken into account when assessing learners. Progression should always be discussed with leaners to ensure that they are on the right route and are capable of achieving.

• • Transparency

The assessor needs to ensure that everyone who is involved with the assessment process clearly understands what is expected. This includes the assessment requirements.

Principles of Assessment

Principles are functions which are based on the concepts, for example how the assessment process is put into practice.

One of the important principles of assessment is known as VACSR. As an assessor I need to ensure that the assessment is:

• Valid – the work is relevant to the assessment criteria.
• Authentic – the work has been procedure by the learner.
• Current – the work is still relevant at the time of assessment.
• Sufficient – the work covers all the assessment criteria.
• Reliable – the work is consistent across all learners.