The Assessment Cycle

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The Assessment Cycle also known as the Training Cycle, is a common framework used in assessing academic and vocational courses or programmes. The idea behind it is to provide structured and constructive assessment feedback to the learner and give them an indication as to what criteria they have achieved. The cycle continues until all aspects of the qualification have been gained by the learner.

Standardisation

If you are an Internal Quality Assurer, you will already understand the importance of standardisation. This is where all assessors are checked to see if they are assessing to the same standards. If they are, this means the learners will have met and followed the requirements for their qualifications consistently. Standardisation is closely linked to the Assessment Cycle as by following this structure, it helps to maintain fairness and accuracy when assessing.

Key Areas of the Cycle

As an assessor, you’ll need to understand the training cycle theories and how assessment is a large part of this process. The training cycle is an on-going process, made up of 5 stages, these include:

Identifying Training Needs

This is our first assessment opportunity. This is where we can conduct the initial assessment. You’ll need to evaluate any prior knowledge that the learner has and identify any skills gaps or areas of weakness. You’ll also need to ensure that you establish if the learner has any additional requirements that you need to be aware of. This is to make sure that we cater to all learners.

Preparation

This stage of the training cycle focuses on planning and preparation, where trainers and assessors work collaboratively to design the learning experience. During this phase, you carefully plan the lesson content, structure and required resources to ensure that the delivery meets the needs of all learners. Activities and materials are adapted to promote inclusivity, making sure that every learner, regardless of their background, learning style or ability, can engage with and benefit from the training.

Training Delivery

The third stage of the training cycle is delivery. This involves putting the lesson plan into action. This is where the trainer presents the planned content and facilitates activities in a way that’s clear, engaging and accessible to all learners. Effective delivery means adapting your communication style and resources to suit the needs of the group. For example, you might deliver the session in a classroom setting using a PowerPoint presentation, supported by discussions, group work or hands-on tasks to reinforce learning.

Apply Learning

At this stage, learners are expected to apply their learning through a practical task, demonstration or activity. This allows them to showcase their understanding and prove that they have successfully absorbed the knowledge or skills covered during the session. Learners must provide clear evidence of their competence. This could be through written work, presentations, observed practice or other forms of assessment. So they can demonstrate that they can put theory into practice effectively.

Evaluation

The final stage of the training cycle is evaluation. This stage focuses on reviewing the learner’s progress and measuring how effectively the learning outcomes have been achieved. Evaluation can take various forms, including formative or summative assessments, self-assessment, and peer feedback. Once the learner has completed the relevant tasks, they will receive written or verbal feedback from the assessor.

As part of this process, the assessor will determine whether the learner has met all of the required assessment criteria. If they have, the training cycle is complete, and the learner can progress. However, if there are gaps in their understanding or performance, the cycle restarts. The assessor will revisit the initial stage to identify any additional training needs, ensuring the learner receives the support required to meet the standards before reattempting the assessment.

If you are interested in becoming an Assessor, please get in touch with Brooks and Kirk on 01205 805 155 today, where our team will be more than happy to assist you.