| Duration: |
8 hours (4x 2hr sessions) |
Credits: |
8 CPD accredited hours |
This workshop series is part of the Assessment Practitioner Programme - a discounted course package giving you 60 hours of CPD resulting in the Assessment Practitioner Award (members only).
Book now
Bookings close 12 Nov 2025 at 11am (UK time)
Learn how to create valid, fair, reliable and accessible questions. Feel confident in knowing when and how to use different question types and mark schemes that are practical and effective for your context.
Why choose this workshop?
This comprehensive series of four live online workshops will show you how to apply the principles of assessment to the practical decisions you need to make about questions and mark schemes.
There are several areas to consider when you’re setting an assessment:
- Is it testing what it’s supposed to?
- Will it produce information people can make valid inferences from?
- Will the results be consistent?
- Will it have a positive impact on teaching and learning?
- Is it fair, appropriate, accessible and manageable?
Our expert trainers will guide you through each of these areas, providing you with a framework for evaluating and designing valid and reliable assessments for your context.
Who should attend?
This workshop series is for anyone working with questions, developing assessments or managing the production of tests, examinations and other evaluation tools.
If you’re new to question writing, or have limited experience, this series will give you everything you need to get going. If you have some experience with creating questions and you’d like toto refresh your skills, this series will increase your understanding of the underpinning principles and further develop your question writing skills.
The session is open to anyone who would find it useful. Previous attendees have included:
- Assessment Managers
- Teachers/lecturers
- Heads of Departments
- Product Managers
- Product Designers
- Exams Managers
- Question Writers
- Coursebook Authors
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 Question Writing for effective assessment, you’ll be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from Cambridge University Press & Assessment as recognition of your learning.
Workshop outline
This workshop series is accredited with a Certificate of Attendance for continuing professional development (8 CPD hours). To be eligible, three live sessions must be attended.
These live workshops will provide you with a comprehensive guide to developing assessments and individual questions. You’ll learn about the principles and design of assessments, exam questions and mark schemes. You’ll be provided with practical information and guidance and have opportunities to evaluate a range of questions and mark schemes.
By the end of the four weeks, you’ll be equipped with a framework for designing valid and reliable assessments:
Workshop 1: 13 Nov 2025 | Principles and design of assessment
13 Nov 2025 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
Learn about the development and design of an assessment ‘blueprint’, by linking the principles of good assessment (e.g. validity, reliability and fairness) to key practical decisions you make in your own context
Workshop 2: 20 Nov 2025 | The process of question writing
20 Nov 2025 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
Explore the principles of question writing, based on findings from research studies on key aspects such as accessibility, and explore how to put these principles into practice in the question writing process.
Workshop 3: 27 Nov 2025 | Writing and reviewing a range of question types
27 Nov 2025 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
Analyse the craft of writing and reviewing questions, looking at a range of question types and exploring various resources that help writers produce good quality questions.
Workshop 4: 4 Dec 2025 | Designing reliable mark schemes
4 Dec 2025 | 12:30 - 14:30 (UK time)
Learn about different types of mark schemes, and how to design mark schemes that will contribute to reliability.
In addition to the live workshops, you’ll take away resources to support you in applying the learning to your own context and developing your future assessment design practice.
What our attendees say
The Cambridge course provided insightful and simple practical pointers for all the areas covered within the four-week period. Within the first session I felt more confident in my understanding of my new team’s role and objectives and was able to put the information learned into practice."
It is particularly helpful that the content from each session can be referred to outside of each session, and that there are handouts / small exercises to be reviewed and worked on to help imbed the information provided by Cambridge each week."
If you are new to assessment development or wish to revisit this topic as someone with experience, I would definitely recommend this course. Based on my experience I feel that it has inspired me to do the best I can in the world of assessment development."
Richard White, Assessment Coordinator, UK
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the four sessions you will have:
- Learned key principles for designing assessments and questions and how these link to practical decision making
- Developed strategies to improve each stage of assessment and question development
- Explored methods for drafting and reviewing questions, diagnosing issues and resolving them
- Learned about good principles of design to create effective mark schemes and justify them.
Workshop trainers
Nancy Sneddon has worked in the field of English language teaching and assessment since 1990. For ten years she worked as an EFL teacher, director of studies, and teacher trainer in various language schools in this country and abroad. She then worked for Cambridge Assessment English, part of Cambridge Assessment, for eight years, managing the production of a variety of ESOL examinations. Since 2008, she has been working in a freelance capacity as a consultant, materials writer, principal examiner, teacher and trainer. She has an MA in Applied Linguistics.
Rebecca Wall is a Senior Assessment Manager with Cambridge, working in the Primary & Lower Secondary Assessments team. Prior to joining Cambridge, she spent nine years as Head of Science in an international school in the Cayman Islands. She began her teaching career in the UK before moving to Boston, USA to take on a leadership role in science education, including curriculum and assessment development.
At Cambridge, Rebecca oversees the production of primary and lower secondary science assessments. She is also involved with assessment development for overseas partners, and plays a key role in delivering item-writer training and supporting teachers with use of assessment data to inform teaching and learning.
FAQs
What is question writing?
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?
Question writing for effective assessment costs £325 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 series is accredited for 8 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.