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Assessment Design

Assessment Strategy

25 min

Simple Explanation

An assessment strategy is the high-level plan for how a qualification will be assessed. It defines what methods will be used, under what conditions, how grading works, and how quality will be assured.

Professional Definition

An assessment strategy is a comprehensive plan covering assessment model, methods, conditions, grading, authentication, standardisation, moderation, accessibility, and quality assurance — all aligned to the qualification purpose.

Explain It to a 10-Year-Old

If a qualification were a journey, the assessment strategy would be the travel plan: how will you travel (methods), when (timing), who checks the map (quality), and what happens if you get lost (moderation).

Why It Matters

Without a strategy, assessment decisions are ad-hoc and inconsistent. A documented strategy ensures all stakeholders — developers, markers, centres, regulators — understand and can scrutinise the assessment approach.

Where It Fits in the Process

This topic belongs to Assessment Design in the assessment development journey.

Assessment Strategy Assessment Methods Blueprint Question Writing Validity Reliability

Step-by-Step Process

1
Define assessment model

External, centre-assessed, or mixed?

2
Select assessment methods

Aligned to constructs and command verbs

3
Set grading approach

Pass/fail, graded, or points-based

4
Plan quality assurance

Standardisation, moderation, review cycles

5
Document accessibility arrangements

Reasonable adjustments policy

Worked Example

Strategy for Digital Administration:
Model: 40% external written paper + 60% centre-assessed practical
Methods: MCQ, short answer, extended response + practical tasks
Grading: Pass (60%), Merit (75%), Distinction (90%)
QA: Annual standardisation, sample moderation of practical tasks
Accessibility: Reasonable adjustments per JCQ guidelines

Common Mistakes

MistakeProblemBetter Approach
Choosing methods before understanding constructs Methods must serve the constructs, not the other way round Start with constructs, then select methods
Ignoring practical constraints An ideal method that cannot be delivered is useless Consider centre resources, assessor availability, and cost

Checklist

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Interview Connection

You may be asked about this topic in assessment developer interviews.

Practice Interview Questions

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Summary

  • Assessment strategy is the high-level plan for the whole qualification
  • It covers methods, conditions, grading, and quality assurance
  • The strategy must align with qualification purpose and constructs
  • Document the strategy so all stakeholders understand it
  • Regulators expect a clear, defensible assessment strategy
Assessment Methods