FAQ Assessments

FAQ – Assessments

What types of assessments are there?

We have a number of different assessment types. Normally, standard course assessments are taken  at the end of a course to assess the learning gained by the student as a result of the course. These assessments are a bit like a test, graded to determine a pass or fail.

We also have periodic assessments, which are not part of a course, rather they are simply a test of the current knowledge of a subject which is otherwise part of course, perhaps one that was previously taken. This can help determine the need to take a full course or not.

Finally, we use self assessments as part of some of our guide courses. These are not testing knowledge but provide the student with the opportunity to consider and reflect on the subject matter in the context of their organisation. These are a bit like an assessment of the use of best practices, assessing risk context, or levels of maturity in a given discipline etc. In some cases we may provide auditing type assessments that managers or professionals can use when assessing alignment with best practices and standards.

How are course assessments marked and scored?

Firstly, all assessments may have questions of different types. In order to get a question correct, then overall the answer(s) given for a question must be correct. That means if there are multiple options or choices for a question, then all the correct options and choices must be given for the question to be answered correctly. The total number of questions answered correctly is typically displayed at the end of the assessment. However, details of questions and answers given are usually revealed to the user.

For some question types, where there are multiple choices and options, then it is possible that the user can earn points by partially answering a question correctly. This is usually achieved by selecting some of the correct options but refer to more details later about specific question types.

The pass mark for a given assessment is based on the total points earned and not on the number of individual questions answered 100% correctly. This means that it is typically easier to reach the passing mark. Each assessment will have different question types, different numbers of questions and different points scoring models.

There are several forms of questions, such as single-choice, multiple-choice, sorting, fill-in-the-blanks and matrix-type questions. In some cases, all questions have to be answered 100% correctly in order to obtain the points.

In a multiple-choice question, for example, all the “correct” choices must be selected and none of the “incorrect” choices must be selected in order to get the question correct. This avoids the possibility of simply checking all the options to get the question points. In a single choice question then the correct choice must be made to get the question correct.

In both a basic “sort” list type question or in a “matrix sorting” question where the user aligns two matching or related pairs together (for example a term and the definition of the terms) then different scoring rules can be applied. This will vary from one assessment to another and also from one question to another in the same assessment. There are two basic scenarios. In the first then all sorting choices must be correct in order to get the question correct and earn points. In the second scenario then points can be earned for partially correct selections.

A “fill in the blank” type question is scored the same as the sorting and matrix question above. ie In some cases all words filled in must be correct or on others, each correct word entered could score points.

If I retake a course assessment are the same questions repeated?

All assessments randomly select questions from a question bank and these are then randomly ordered. It is, therefore, possible to expect some questions repeated at some point in time. The more an assessment is repeated the greater the likelihood that all questions will have been asked previously.

Can I retake course assessments if I don’t get a high enough score?

It is possible to retake some, but not all assessments. For example, if the assessment is a standalone periodic assessment that is not taken at the end of a course, then it is not possible to retake that assessment once it has been completed. If a student did not attain the passing score for the periodic assessment then a training course would need to be taken after which the assessment connected to the course is taken by the student.

Assessments that are taken at the end of a course can sometimes be retaken while access to the course is still available, but the number of retries is limited.