Assessment items

UC Assessment Policy is downloaded from here:
https://guard.canberra.edu.au/policy/policy.php?pol_id=2900

ASSESSMENT ITEMS

Note: Examinations are a form of assessment item. See the Examination Policy.

3.1 Key principle: The performance of each student is individually assessed against the
learning outcomes of the unit independently of the assessment of other students in the unit. This is referred to as criterion-referenced assessment.

3.2 Assessment items are the means by which:
(a) students are able to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the specific learning outcomes of the unit; and
(b) staff make judgments about the extent to which learning outcomes have been achieved.

3.3 Assessment items will be reliable and valid indicators of student performance in relation to the learning outcomes (including generic skills).

3.4 Good practice in assessment requires:
(a) assessing the achievement of learning outcomes in a unit through several assessment items so that students have a number of opportunities to demonstrate what they know and are able to do; and
(b) the use of different types of assessment items to address the needs of different students and different learning outcomes.

3.5 Assessment of a unit will not rely on a final examination as the only form of assessment.

3.6 Where assessment for a unit involves group work, assessment items should appropriately balance individual and group work. See Procedures 3.4-8.

3.7 The set of assessment items for each unit will assess student achievement on the full range of specified learning outcomes.

3.8 Design of assessment items will take into account, as appropriate, the signature themes of the University: work-integrated learning; interdisciplinary study; research-led teaching; intercultural student and staff capability; and student access, choice and flexibility.

3.9 Assessment will be based only on judgments of student performance in relation to the learning outcomes of a unit. Students will not be rewarded or penalised for activities unrelated to learning outcomes.

3.10 Participation in activities such as laboratory classes, fieldwork or work placements may be required if essential for successful completion of the learning outcomes for professional reasons such as accreditation. In such cases, this requirement will be specified in the unit outline.

3.11 Student evaluation of a unit, for example in student surveys, for the purpose of providing feedback to academic staff is not part of the assessment of student learning.

3.12 Assessment processes must enable the participation of students with disabilities.

3.13 The onus rests with the student for clarifying with the unit convener any doubts about the requirements of particular assessment items or procedures.

3.14 Special consideration is consideration given to students whose performance in a unit may be affected by unavoidable and adverse circumstances. Special consideration will normally result in extensions of time for submission of assessment items (see Procedures 3.9) or deferred examinations (see the Deferred Examination Policy).

3.15 Supplementary assessment (including supplementary examinations) is a form of assessment designed to give eligible students a second chance to pass a final unit of study. See the Supplementary Assessment Policy.