This document introduces assessment tools and their purpose in gathering evidence of competence. It defines assessment tools as the instruments and procedures used to assess competence, including specific questions or activities and instructions for candidates and assessors. Key principles for effective assessment tools are outlined, such as validity, reliability, flexibility and fairness. Guidelines are provided for developing assessment tools, including unpacking competency requirements, selecting methods, developing instructions, reviewing tools, and involving stakeholders. The importance of assessment tool design, review and version control to ensure quality assessment is emphasized.

1. Introducing Assessment Tools

2. What is an assessment tool?
The instrument/s and procedures used to
gather and interpret evidence of competence:
– Instrument – the specific questions or activity
used to assess competence by the assessment
method selected. An assessment instrument may
be supported by a profile of acceptable
performance and the decision making rules or
guidelines to be used by assessors.
– Procedures – the information or instructions
given to the candidate and the assessor about
how the assessment is to be conducted and
recorded. (AQTF)

3. What principles/rules apply
to assessment tools?
Assessment processes
Assessment methods and tools
• Assessment evidence
• Assessment judgements.
PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT
RULES OF EVIDENCE

4. Principles of Assessment
VALIDITY
RELIABILITY
FLEXIBILITY
FAIRNESS
• Unit of Competency
• Industry Standards
• AQF Level
• Dimensions of Competency
• LLN
• Instructions (Learner & Assessor)
• Sample answers/responses
• Advice to assist judgement of competence
• Trials of tools during development
• Review of tools after use
• Negotiate with learner / workplace
• Consider Reasonable Adjustment
(to the structure of the assessment
not the outcome)
• Maintain integrity of unit and
industry standards (Validity/
Reliability)
Ensuring the tool reflects all the
requirements of competency
Ensuring the tool achieves
consistent results
Ensuring the tool does not disadvantage
learners and allows the best opportunity to
provide evidence of competency

5. Assessment Tools
Well designed
Assessment Tools
will help to ensure that the
evidence collected meets
the requirements of the
Rules of Evidence
SUFFICIENT???
VALID?
CURRENT?
AUTHENTIC?

6. Designing assessment tools
PLAN
– Clarify evidence requirements - Unpack the Unit
of Competency to identify the evidence
requirements
– Select the most appropriate assessment methods
– Identify the assessment tools that align with each
of the assessment methods
DEVELOP
– Develop the tools identified
– Check instructions and formatting
– Review / trial

7. Good assessment instructions
Written in plain English
using standard industry terminology
Clearly understood by learners and
assessors (what, where, who, when, how)
Written at the correct AQF level
FAIRNESS
FLEXIBILIT
Y
RELIABILITY
VALIDITY

8. Verbs and AQF levels
Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
• Tell
• List
• Find
• Use
• Explain
• Discuss
• Describe
• Analyse
• Investigate
• Design
Certificate IV
• Justify
• Recommend
• Evaluate

9. Reviewing and Trialing Tools
Part of the tool development process
– Confirms validity and reliability
– Provides advice on fairness and flexibility
– Encourages involvement of stakeholders
– Provides evidence for continuous
improvement
Tracked through version control to ensure
all assessors use the most current tool

10. Reviewing and Trialing Tools
Part of the tool development process
– Confirms validity and reliability
– Provides advice on fairness and flexibility
– Encourages involvement of stakeholders
– Provides evidence for continuous
improvement
Tracked through version control to ensure
all assessors use the most current tool