What is assessment?

Assessment is the means by which a learner’s skills and knowledge are reviewed in order to evaluate what they have learned.

In the case of OCN accreditation and qualifications, assessment is the process by which judgements are made about whether a learner has achieved the learning outcomes in a unit.

For tutors/trainers, assessment:

• Provides objective information which enables them to give learners constructive feedback on their progress.
• Provides information which allows them to respond to individual learners’ needs.
• Helps evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a course.
• Demonstrates that a course has clear learning goals which are being met effectively.
• Shows whether learners have met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria in the unit, which then allows them to be awarded the credits for that unit.

For learners, assessment:

• Acknowledges achievement, thereby providing a sense of achievement and increasing motivation to continue learning.
• Helps them to develop skills of self-assessment.
• Demonstrates and confirms what they have learned.
• An increasing number of OCNLR centres are using e-portfolios and digital media in assessment. If you are interested in this approach to assessing and evidencing learning, download our presentation on e-assessment*, taken from a recent event for OCNLR centres.

See N/OCN Assessment Guidance for further information on the N/OCN minimum requirements for assessment, the nature of tasks that could be set at different levels and the type of evidence to collect.

* This is a large file and may take some time to download.