AUN-QEx Mastery Training - Day 2 Insights: Authentic, Measurable Assessment

The second day of the AUN-QEx Mastery Training addresses one of the most critical aspects of curriculum reform: course-level assessment. Authentic assessment of course learning outcomes (CLOs) evaluates how far a given task can simulate or reflect the kinds of performances expected from graduates in real-world settings. It does not mean that assessments must be entirely "real" or "true," but rather that they should partially imitate professional demands. This concept is at the heart of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE), where the goal is to measure student competencies meaningfully. However, many degree programmes still rely on traditional formats such as multiple-choice exams or standard reports—methods that often fail to assess the actual skills required in the workplace.

To bridge this gap, the AUN Qualifications Excellence (AUN-QEx) initiative introduces a practical innovation: the Diagnostic Tool for Authentic Assessment.

The Diagnostic Tool for Authentic Assessment
This tool helps institutions and educators reflect on whether the tasks and evaluations used in their courses truly reflect the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities (KSR) expected in real-world contexts. The tool focuses on several dimensions:

• Real-world relevance of the assessment tasks;
• Cognitive complexity required of students;
• Student autonomy in demonstrating learning;
• Alignment with course-level KSR learning outcomes.

This is not just a checklist, it’s a reflective and developmental tool that facilitates internal dialogue and quality enhancement.

Day 2 in Action: Reflection, Redesign, and Reform
Participants in Day 2 will begin by using the Diagnostic Tool individually to evaluate an existing assessment task from their course. They then share and discuss findings, identifying strengths and gaps. Through guided reflection and collaborative work, they will:

• Audit their current assessment formats using the Diagnostic Tool;
• Identify gaps between intended outcomes and actual evaluations;
• Engage in an “Assessment Hackathon” using the Redesign Template for Authentic Assessment. They also develop a scoring rubric aligned with the ‘Responsibility’ learning outcomes to ensure that grading supports authenticity;
• Assess feasibility issues such as grading, workload, and institutional support.

Why This Matters: Curriculum Reform Through Assessment
Reforming curriculum means rethinking how student achievement is measured. When assessment focuses on performance, not just compliance, institutions foster learning environments that are more relevant, credible, and empowering. Moreover, the Diagnostic Tool acknowledges local contexts. It supports reflection and action, whether educators are at a research-intensive flagship or a teaching-focused university. Effective implementation also depends on clear assessment rubrics, formative feedback mechanisms, and collaboration with industry professionals to validate or co-design tasks. These practices are ensuring assessments meaningfully evaluate not just knowledge and skills, but also graduates’ readiness to carry out responsibilities in real-world roles.

Assessment reform is not only about education — it’s about equipping graduates to contribute meaningfully to societal and economic development.

Who Should Join?
The Diagnostic Tool for Authentic Assessment — and the broader AUN-QEx training — is designed for:

• Curriculum developers and QA teams;
• University leaders and top-level administrators who review or approve new curricula;
• Departmental staff and faculty responsible for implementation;
• Policy-level actors shaping the direction of university education systems.

Anyone responsible for the design, approval, or execution of academic programmes can benefit from this training. Authentic assessment is more than a buzzword — it’s a shift in mindset. 

Coming Next: Day 3 – Optimising Student Workload for Deeper Learning.