| Duration: |
1.5 hours |
Credits: |
1.5 CPD accredited hours |
Book now
Bookings close 18 May 2026 at 11am (UK time)
Gain a clear understanding of grading and the different approaches to setting and maintaining a grading standard.
Why choose this workshop?
Grading is one of the most critical aspects of assessment, yet it’s also one of the most complex. When faced with variable assessment difficulty and group ability, many assessment professionals feel unsure about how to ensure fairness and consistency when setting grade thresholds.
This live, interactive workshop offers a practical foundation in the principles of grading and standard setting. You’ll explore how grade thresholds are determined, what evidence supports those decisions, and how to maintain comparability across different assessments and cohorts.
Used effectively, grading standards are intended to protect the integrity of assessment outcomes, but without a clear structure, decisions can feel subjective or inconsistent. This workshop helps you apply expert judgement with confidence, using real-world examples and proven approaches to guide decision-making.
With a focus on key concepts like interpreting performance data, Setting and maintaining a grading standard also explores the use of statistical evidence and provides professional insights based on expertise from Cambridge on understanding the impact of grading decisions.
Whether you're new to assessment or an experienced practitioner looking to refresh or refine your practice, this workshop will give you the tools to make fair and informed grading decisions that meet a defined standard.
Who should attend?
This workshop session is ideal for anyone looking for a deeper understanding of how to set and maintain a grading standard.
The session is open to anyone who would find it useful. Previous attendees have included:
- Assessment Standard Managers
- Assessment Leads
- Researchers
- Teachers and School Leaders
- Lecturers and Course Tutors in Higher Education
- Product Managers
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 Setting and maintaining a grading standard, 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 (1.5 CPD hours). To be eligible, the live session must be attended.
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to:
- Understand what grading is, and why it is used
- Explore the different approaches to standard setting and maintaining a grading standard, and apply these to your own work
- Consider the opportunities and challenges raised by the different approaches
What our attendees say
Extremely valuable to any teacher who tutors IGCSE and A level students."
Mugendi Mbungu, Teacher, Uganda
Workshop trainer
John Metcalfe is a Principal Assessment Advisor at Cambridge International Education, having been with the organisation since January 2019. His role focuses on ensuring assessment standards and quality for a wide portfolio of international high-stakes qualifications. He has a particular interest in the technical aspects of assessment design and delivery and in Cambridge Checkpoint assessments. John most recently held the position of Senior Assessment Manager Lead and served as the Head of Assessment for Physics and General Science subject team within International Education. Prior to his staff roles at Cambridge, he worked for five years as a Physics Examiner and spent a decade as a director in the audio industry, managing product concepts and quality control.
FAQs
What do we mean when we talk about a ‘grading standard’?
A Grading is the procedure of setting thresholds, boundaries or cut-off scores to distinguish how well a candidate has performed in assessments for a particular syllabus. For these grades to be valid, we need to make sure that they are reliable and can be compared across subjects and years.
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?
Setting and maintaining a grading standard 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 this workshop, you must attend the live session.
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 the live session to be eligible for a Certificate of Attendance after the workshop.
How many CPD learning hours is this accredited for?
This workshop is accredited for 1.5 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.