| Duration: |
2 hours |
Credits: |
2 CPD accredited hours |
Book now
Bookings close 1 Dec 2025 at 11am (UK time)
How do you know your assessments have worked well? Build your confidence with this introduction to assessment validation. Gain practical methods for collecting different sources of data to ensure your assessments meet their intended purposes and explore key questions around validation.
Why choose this workshop?
Assessment validation for beginners is an introductory workshop that will help you understand the concept of validation in educational assessment. You’ll gain a clear overview of how to judge whether an assessment has measured what it set out to measure, and whether the results can be relied upon for their intended use.
Validation is essentially about collecting evidence to support how assessment results are interpreted and used. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that decisions based on those results are fair and appropriate.
Assessment validation for beginners introduces key ideas like validity, reliability, fairness, and fitness for purpose, and explores how these principles apply in real-world assessment settings.
One of the biggest challenges in validation is its complexity, particularly when assessments inform high-stakes or large-scale decisions. This workshop will help you to navigate that complexity by breaking the process into manageable steps. It uses practical examples, a variety of learning resources, and clear, accessible language to build confidence and understanding.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a solid grounding in validation. You’ll be better equipped to ask informed questions about your assessments, spot potential issues, and begin gathering and interpreting evidence to support the quality and impact of your assessment practices.
Who should attend?
Whatever size or type of assessment you're working with, this workshop will guide you on the fundamental principles behind creating a valid assessment. This is an ideal introductory workshop if you’re at the early stages of validation planning and will help you to make informed decisions and develop strategies around assessment validation.
It will also be useful for anyone interested in assessment data collection approaches for validating assessments.
The session is open to anyone who would find it useful. Previous attendees have included:
- Assessment managers
- Teachers, school leaders and assessment leads
- Academic coordinators
- Product and qualification managers
- Examiners and assessors
Why choose The Assessment Network?
We’re trusted by over 1,000 organisations across 100 countries and are backed by world-class research from the University of Cambridge.
We proudly hold Dual Accreditation by the Professional Development Consortium, officially recognising us as a Provider of Training Excellence.
Upon successful completion of Understanding and optimising your mark schemes, you’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment as recognition of your learning.
This workshop is accredited with a Certificate of Attendance for continuing professional development (2 CPD hours). To be eligible, the live session must be attended.
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop you will have:
- Identified where validation is required and useful in your professional practice
- Understood key principles of validation enquiry
- Developed new strategies and methods to guide validation practice
- Knowledge to justify your professional choices based on validation best practice
What our attendees say
This course provided a clear and practical framework for understanding assessment validation. The blend of theoretical principles and hands-on activities made it highly engaging and immediately applicable to my professional practice. I would recommend it to anyone looking to refine their assessment processes."
Hajra Naseem, Teacher, Qatar
Workshop trainer
Dr Simon Child is Head of Assessment Training at The Assessment Network at Cambridge. Previously, he was a Senior Research Officer in the Assessment Research and Development Division of Cambridge Assessment. He's conducted research in the field of qualifications reform and development since 2012.
His other research interests include quality of marking processes, curriculum development, formative assessment and Higher Education. His background is in developmental psychology. In 2011, he received his Ph.D from the University of Manchester, which focused on the development of symbolic cognition in pre-school children.
FAQs
What is validation?
Validation is the process of collecting and analysing various forms of data to understand the overall quality (validity) of your assessments.
Why train with The Assessment Network?
The Assessment Network at Cambridge is a global community of assessment professionals, committed to equipping practitioners with a clear understanding of core assessment principles and practices. Through accredited training, professional membership, and career development opportunities, we support individuals and organisations in becoming recognised, up-to-date assessment leaders.
We enable positive change by helping practitioners enhance the impact of assessment for learners, offering CPD courses, bespoke solutions, and professional recognition for every challenge and role. Trusted by over 1,000 organisations across 100 countries, and backed by world-class research from the University of Cambridge, we unite professionals who connect, share learning, and stand out as experts in their field.
How much does it cost?
Assessment validation for beginners costs £95 or you can receive a 10% discount on your booking as a Member.
I want to register my team, what’s the best way to do this?
If you’re looking to book five or more places on an upcoming workshop or workshop series, you can receive a group discount. Please get in touch for a quote.
How do I register?
If this workshop is currently available use the Book Now button to complete your registration on our booking platform. If the workshop is not available, you can register your interest.
How will I learn?
Live workshops are interactive, practical sessions offered online, either as standalone sessions or as part of a series.
Led by assessment experts, these sessions require live attendance, via our online learning site, providing opportunities for direct guidance and real-time answers to your questions. These practical explorations and discussions with your assessment peers will help transform your assessment practice.
Will I be able to discuss the workshop topic during the session?
You can engage regularly throughout the online workshops via chat boxes, breakout rooms, polls, and quizzes.
What level of English do I need to be able to complete the course?
The course is delivered in English so you are required to have sufficient competence in English to participate in the training. You should have English language competence comparable to Level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We recommend a minimum requirement of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System. Further information may be obtained through the IELTS website.
My place on the workshop is now confirmed, what happens next?
Once you’ve completed your booking you’ll receive a confirmation email. Joining instructions for the workshop or series are normally sent after the booking deadline has passed.
What happens if I can't attend one of the sessions?
To receive certification for a workshop series, you can only miss one session.
You’ll be able watch a recording of this missed session, but please note breakout rooms will not be recorded, and attendance is strongly recommended whenever possible.
What kind of certification is available upon completion of the workshop?
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment. It is expected that participants will attend at least two out of three live sessions to be eligible for a Certificate of Attendance at the end of the series.
How many CPD learning hours is this accredited for?
This workshop is accredited for 2 learning hours. You must meet the attendance requirements to be eligible to receive the learning hours.
The Assessment Network has been awarded Dual Accreditation by the Professional Development Consortium, meaning we are officially recognised as a Provider of Training Excellence, alongside being a trusted provider of fully CPD accredited assessment training activities.
The majority of our professional development courses are also CPD accredited. Accredited courses are clearly marked with the CPD hours available, and a full list can be found on the CPD Standards website.
Some newer workshops and courses may not yet be accredited by the CPD Standards Office. However, as an assured provider of training excellence, all our workshops meet the same rigorous standards as our accredited training.
What can I do with my learning hours?
At The Assessment Network, learning hours from completing professional development courses contribute directly toward earning awards that recognise your assessment expertise. There are two levels of awards, the Assessment Practitioner Award and the Advanced Assessment Practitioner Award.
How long will I have access to the recording/resources after the workshop ends?
Recordings, slides, and any extra resources will be available via the online learning site for 40 days for a standalone workshop or 90 days for a workshop series.
When is the next workshop running?
We aim to run our workshops at least once a year. If the workshop is not currently available to book, please use the register your interest page.