Certificate in the Principles and Practice of Assessment
What is it about?
This course, offered by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education with Cambridge Assessment provides an introduction to educational assessment, using topical and relevant examples.
Who is it for?
The course is for anyone with an interest in assessment and its role in society today; in particular examiners, test writers, teachers with special responsibility for assessment and awarding body staff working day to day in assessment.
What will I get out of it?
- A firm grounding in the principles and practice of assessment
- An understanding of the consequences of assessment
- An appreciation of the wider context of assessment
- A basis for analysing assessment processes
- Interaction with fellow assessment professionals
- A University of Cambridge qualification
- Recognition of your competence and any workplace experience in relation to assessment
Course overview
The course consists of three units, which address the questions:
- What are the key principles and concepts which underpin assessment?
- How do we go about providing quality assessment?
- What are the main processes and issues entailed in its practice?
- How do we make judgements about knowledge, skills and performance?
- What is the evidence we require?
Topics covered include:
- Purposes and methods of assessment
- Qualities of good assessment including validity and reliability
- Standard setting and consistency
- Criterion and norm referencing
- Specification development
- Designing assessment tools
- Standardisation
- E-assessment
Find out more
If you are interested in attending the course and would like to learn more about it, come along to an introductory session in Cambridge or Coventry. Held over lunch, the session will give an overview of what you can expect from the course, and will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Course Director, as well as current course participants.
