Blogs by The Assessment Network

The Assessment Network at Cambridge provides professional development to the assessment community.

We equip practitioners with the skills and knowledge needed to design and develop effective assessments, from an understanding of the key principles to in-depth and practice based learning in the design and delivery of successful, valid assessment.

In this blog, Matthew Carroll, Senior Researcher, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, explores what assessment data can tell us about the future and the care that is required in interpreting these predictions.

Male teacher smiling in a school corridor

In this blog, Researcher Carmen Lim explores the difference between standardised and normalised scores, explaining why understanding these scoring methods is important for accurate assessment interpretation.

Cartoon style graphic describing making the case for inclusive assessments

How can we be sure assessments are fair and inclusive for all? At Assessment Horizons we explored some of the barriers students may experience with assessments, and heard from speakers who are championing ‘assessment for inclusion’ to ensure greater equity and better outcomes for all learners.

Rebecca Dowbiggin at the 2025 Assessment Horizons conference

Rebecca Dowbiggin links the ‘linguistic divide’ students may face when reading Shakespeare to the importance of clearer assessment language. She argues for a culture in which "assessment is not a mystery, but a tool for growth. Where the language of learning is one that we build together."

Cartoon style graphic describing the student voice on AI and assessment

When we talk about ‘assessment literacy’, what do we mean beyond understanding how assessment works? And why is it important for different stakeholder groups to develop their understanding of assessment?

Data can be used to gather, interpret, and critically inform practitioners and organisations' decisions at every level of assessment. In this blog, Alejandra Miranda, Researcher at Cambridge, explores why assessment data can be more than a measure of student performance.

Psychometrics is the statistical process used to ensure that educational assessments are fair, reliable, and valid. In this blog, Dr Tom Benton and Carmen Lim, Cambridge researchers in the field, explain how psychometric methods underpin every stage of assessment.

New ambassador for The Assessment Network Paul Muir offers an insightful look into the evolving landscape of education and assessment, exploring the pressing challenges in assessment design today, while also highlighting the role that professional communities play in shaping the future of fair and inclusive assessments.

Cartoon style graphic describing how to use assessment design to tackle AI threats

At The Assessment Network we believe in bringing together powerful knowledge and insights from assessment professionals across sectors, so we invited a range of diverse speakers at our Assessment Horizons conference in April to reflect on developments in AI and assessment.

To assist educators in improving their MCQ design for language assessment, Margaret Cooze, expert in language assessment at The Assessment Network, offers insights into common mistakes, effective strategies, and the role of the CEFR framework, along with details of her upcoming workshop series.

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Our publications

The Assessment Network

Predicting student performance: can assessment data tell us about the future?

What are standardised and normalised scores in assessment?

Making the case for inclusive assessments

From Romeo to Rubrics or why I 'ship' Romeo and Juliet

Bridging the gap: developing assessment literacy for all

Why is assessment data important in education?

What is psychometrics in educational assessment?

Member spotlight: AI, test security, and bridging the digital divide with new ambassador Paul Muir

Assessment and AI - where are we now?

Designing effective multiple-choice questions for language assessment: Advice from a Cambridge expert