3. ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS

Student assessment is an important aspect of quality assurance because assessment methods drive student learning and the outcome of assessment is used in awarding degree and qualifications. Hence methods of student assessment have to be clear and must support the programme objectives.

3.1 ASSESSMENT METHODS

Basic standard
The frequency and methods of student assessment including the criteria for pass/fail must be documented and clearly stated to students on commencement of the programme.
The assessment methods must balance between summative and formative evaluation and between theory and practical examinations.

A variety of valid methods and tools must be used to assess each programme objective and competencies such as communication, problem solving, team-work and self-directed learning.

Quality development
The institution should evaluate and document the reliability and validity of all the assessment methods used and from time to time review and introduce new assessment methods.

The services of relevant external assessors should be encouraged.

3.2 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ASSESSMENT AND LEARNING

Basic standards
Assessment principles, methods and practices must be clearly compatible with programme objectives and content and must promote learning.

Whenever the objectives of the programme are modified, the process and methods of assessment must reflect the change.

Quality development
The frequency and type of examinations should be modified from time of time so that the various curricular elements can be assessed in an integrated manner and to encourage integrated learning (e.g the learning of ethics and attitudes should be integrated with knowledge and practical skills acquisition ).

The assessment of excessive amounts of factual information should be reduced so as to decrease the curriculum overload and to focus more on the mastery of higher intellectual skills (e.g problem solving).

3.3 MANAGEMENT OF STUDENT ASSESSMENT

The management of the assessment system is intricately linked to the institution's responsibility as a body that confers degrees and other awards of national and international standing. The robustness and security of the processes and procedures related to student assessment are important in inspiring confidence in the quality of the degree that is awarded by the institution.

Basic Standards
The Institution must have mechanisms to ensure the validity, reliability and fairness of the examination system and security of the academic records.

Quality development
The curriculum or programme committee should have mechanisms to review and implement new methods of assessment.

Representatives of students, academic staff and other stakeholders should be involved in improving the system of student assessment.

Ministry of Higher Education - MOHE Malaysia