Assessment Tools

Assessment tools are materials that enable you to collect evidence using your chosen assessment method.Assessment tools are the instruments and procedures used to gather and interpret evidence of competence:

• The instrument is the activity or specific questions 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 are the information or instructions given to the candidate and the assessor about how the assessment is to be conducted and recorded The principles of assessment. When developing assessment tools, you need to ensure that the principles of assessment are met. This is not only good practice but also a requirement of the AQTF. The assessment principles require that assessment is valid, reliable, flexible and fair.
• Validity refers to the extent to which the interpretation and use of an assessment outcome can be supported by evidence. An assessment is valid if the assessment methods and materials reflect the elements, performance criteria and critical aspects of evidence in the evidence guide of the unit(s) of competency, and if the assessment outcome is fully supported by the evidence gathered.
• Reliability refers to the degree of consistency and accuracy of the assessment outcomes. That is, the extent to which the assessment will provide similar outcomes for candidates with equal competence at different times or places, regardless of the assessor conducting the assessment.
• Flexibility refers to the opportunity for a candidate to negotiate certain aspects of their assessment (for example, timing) with their assessor. All candidates should be fully informed (for example, through an Assessment Plan) of the purpose of assessment, the assessment criteria, methods and tools used, and the context and timing of the assessment.