Principles of Assessment

Guide to Assessment

Publication Date: July 2015
Publication Code: AA4147 (July 2015)

Published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority
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Contents
1

Introduction
SQA qualifications
The relationship between different qualifications

1
1
2

2

Purposes of assessment
Uses for candidates
Uses for organisations
Standards

3
3
4
4

3

Assessment for SQA qualifications

6

4

SQA Principles of assessment
How do I develop a valid assessment?

8
8

5

Ensuring validity: the key steps
5.1 Get to know the Units: content and standards
5.2 Create an assessment plan
5.3 Think about the candidate as well as the assessment
5.4 Choose assessment methods
5.5 Developing an assessment
5.6 Define acceptable evidence for the assessment

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6

Methods...