An assessor suspects that there has been collaboration between candidates in an assessment that was intended to assess the individuals knowledge or skills. Which one of the following actions is most likely to determine if collaboration has taken place?
Make all candidates take the assessment again.
Verify the knowledge of the suspected candidate by oral questioning.
Make a final judgement, based on past performance of the candidate.
Set a new assessment for the suspected candidate.
Are there any advantages in using oral questioning when assessing a candidate on a one to one basis?
Yes, follow-up questions2 can be adjusted to the candidate’s response and therefore allow assessment of different cognitive and affective skills.
The only real advantage is that the assessor can see for themselves if the candidate knows anything related to the subject.
No, there are no real advantages; the assessor would always be better using written questions2 to assess in a one to one situation.
Bloom’s taxonomy divides skills into three domains. Which one of the domains identified in the options deals mainly with knowledge and understanding?
How can oral questioning be used to confirm a candidate’s competence following an assessment by direct observation in which they have performed a practical task?
Answering oral questions2 allows the candidate to provide evidence of their knowledge, understanding and other skills required to confirm competence.
Oral questions2 allow the candidate to verbally report on how they performed the task which is all that is required to demonstrate competence.
In relation to a programme of learning, select from the following the one which identifies when formative assessment would normally take place?
Only at the beginning of the programme.
Only at the end of the programme.
At various stages during the programme.
At the beginning and end of the programme.
In relation to assessing a candidate’s language skills, which one of the following is best suited for assessment by oral questioning?
Speaking and listening skills.
Speaking and writing skills.
Writing and listening skills.
Full competence in a language.
In relation to assessing by direct observation, why is it important that the assessor clearly defines the required performance criteria?
The performance criteria act as a guide for the assessor if the is unfamiliar with the assessment task.
The performance criteria define exactly what the candidate should be assessed against.
The performance criteria will provide the candidate with a step by step guide on how to perform an assigned task.
In relation to assessment of learners, which one of the following is usually considered as the main purpose of using summative assessment?
To grade the learner after training is completed.
To provide feedback to the assessor.
To provide feedback to the learner.
To grade the learner before training has started.
In relation to assessment, what is meant by the term “fairness”?
Fairness means that all candidates are given an equal opportunity to succeed.
Fairness means that all candidates will be given a second chance at the assessment.
Fairness means that the assessment is fairly easy.
Fairness is an alternative term which means that the assessment is reliable.
In relation to direct observation of a candidate, which one of the following is correct regarding any limitations of using this method of assessment?
The only limitation to using direct observational methods for assessment is that it is time consuming.
Assessing by direct observation is usually sufficient to fully establish whether or not a candidate is competent.
Some candidates may not perform to their full potential if they feel uncomfortable being observed.
In relation to formative and summative assessment, which one of the following statements is true?
Formative assessment can be used to give feedback whereas summative assessment cannot.
Summative assessment can be used to give feedback to both the learner and the assessor, unlike formative assessment.
Formative and summative assessment can sometimes be combined for grading purposes.
In relation to the analyses of assessment results, which of the following can be considered necessary in order to ensure that any analyses is meaningful?
There should be no variance whatsoever between actual results and previous or expected results.
All of the data should come from a single assessment occasion.
All of the data should come from an individual assessor.
There should be sufficient data from different sources.
In relation to the assessment of seafarers, which of the following can be easily assessed using multiple choice type questions2?
Knowledge and understanding.
The higher cognitive skills and affective skills.
In relation to the assessment of seafarers, which of the following can be fully assessed using questions2 that require written descriptive answers?
Knowledge, understanding and other higher cognitive skills.
In relation to the assessment of seafarers, which one of the following can written assignments and projects be best used to provide?
Evidence to support entries in a work record book.
Full evidence of competence in practical activities.
Evidence of psychomotor skills ability.
Evidence of affective skills ability.
It is the responsibility of an assessor to ensure that the candidate is provided with full information regarding the assessment. Which one of the following statements best describes the responsibility that the candidate has regarding this information?
The candidate should study it at the beginning of the assessment so that the requirements are fresh in their mind.
The candidate should take it to the assessment with them so that they can make reference to it during the assessment.
The candidate should study it prior to the assessment so that they have time to clarify any doubts with the assessor.
One reason why an assessor needs to produce a marking scheme when preparing an assessment is to indicate the mark allocation to the candidate. Which one of the following is another important reason for having a detailed marking scheme?
Port State control will always require evidence of a marking scheme following any incident involving an individual who has been assessed onboard.
The assessor may not be the person who marks all of the assessments.
A detailed marking scheme is only required for quality assurance purposes.
Flag State only accepts assessment decisions based on marking schemes that they have approved.
Oral questioning can be used by an assessor to fully assess a candidate’s affective skills. Is this statement accurate?
No, although oral questioning can be used to partly assess these skills, it is necessary to combine this method with observation of behaviour to fully assess affective skills.
Yes, using oral questions2 is a much better method to use than any other method, particularly direct observation.
Yes, this is the most common method of assessment used to fully assess affective skills.
STCW is the main standard used for training of seafarers and contains a series of competence tables which should be the main source for defining competence requirements. Select from the following elements of the competence tables the one that is most likely to be used to determine learning objectives?
The competence statements.
The competence evaluation criteria.
The knowledge, understanding and proficiency statements.
The methods for demonstrating competence.
Select from the following statements the one that is the most accurate in relation to the term “assessment for learning”:
Both pre assessment and summative assessment are usually used for assessment for learning.
Assessment for learning is a process which is used solely for deciding the content of a programme of learning.
Only formative assessment can be used for the purpose of assessment for learning.
Assessment for learning is part of the learning process and provides instant feedback to the learner.
Select from the following statements the one which is the main reason why it is important to have a suitable marking scheme for an assessment?
It makes it easy to count the total available mark.
It will provide evidence of the reliability and consistency of an assessment.
It is required for quality assurance purposes.
It allows all questions2 to be allocated equal marks, no matter how many parts there are to each question.
Select from the following the most appropriate assessment method that can be used by an assessor to assess knowledge?
Direct observation of the candidate performing a practical task.
Direct written questions2 are the only appropriate method.
Direct oral or written divergent type questions2.
Direct oral or written convergent type questions2.
Select from the following the most appropriate assessment method that can be used by an assessor to assess understanding or comprehension?
Direct oral or written divergent type and follow-up questions2.
Direct written questions2 only.
Direct oral or written convergent type questions2.
Direct observation of the candidate performing a practical task.
Select from the following the one which is correct in relation to the importance of the timing of an assessment and the reason why it is important:
Assessments should only be scheduled for a time that allows both the assessor and the candidate to prepare properly.
Assessments should always be carried out in the morning, as the candidate will be less tired.
Assessments should only be scheduled during normal working time, to avoid any additional costs.
Select from the options given the one that best defines a learning outcome in relation to a programme of learning:
It is a general statement which describes what the assessment result should be at the end of the programme.
It is a general statement to indicate what the learner should be able to do after completing the programme.
It is a measurable, specific statement to indicate what the learner should be able to do after completing each section of the programme.
Select from the options given the one that best describes the main characteristics of a learning objective:
It should be short and measurable.
It should be specific and short.
It should be general and measurable.
It should be specific and measurable.
Select from the options the phrase that most accurately completes the following statement. A programme of learning can be defined as:
A course of study that is delivered through audio visual programmes at the learner’s workplace.
A series of activities designed to enable learners to gain further knowledge or skills or to improve existing knowledge or skills.
A series of lessons that is delivered in a classroom or lecture theatre involving more than one learner.
Select the statement which best describes how an assessor should act in relation to making a judgement of a candidate’s competence based purely on the final product or end result.
In order to achieve an acceptable final product or end result a candidate must be competent and therefore the assessor can consider it is an effective test of competence.
Competence is about how the result is achieved as well as what result is achieved and therefore a judgement regarding competence should not be made based purely on the end result of final product.
Select, from the following statements, the one which is the main purpose of including pre-assessment in a programe of learning?
To prepare learners for final summative assessment.
To reduce the number of learner’s taking part in a programme of learning.
To establish a learner’s existing skill or knowledge prior to a programme of learning.
To grade learners before they take on a new work role.
Select, from the following statements, the one which is the most accurate in relation to mark allocation in an assessment marking scheme?
An assessor should allocate marks to each question and part of a question based on their judgement as to the importance and difficulty of the required answer.
An assessor should allocate marks to each question and part of a question based on the expected length of the answer to each question.
An assessor should allocate marks to each question and part of a question based on the complexity of the wording of the question.
Select, from the following, the phrase which correctly completes the following statement. If an assessor uses an inappropriate level of language during an assessment:
Only the performance of the weakest candidates will be affected but it is still unacceptable.
It will probably not affect the performance of any of the candidates so it is acceptable.
Some candidates may be disadvantaged so it is unacceptable.
The performance of all candidates will be affected to the same degree so it is acceptable.
Select, from the following, the statement which best describes the circumstances under which an onboard assessor would normally use formative assessment?
An assessor would normally use formative assessment as the main way of grading a learner.
Only when the assessor is also the trainer.
An assessor would never use formative assessment.
Select, from the phrases given in the options, the one that correctly completes the following statement. An assessment strategy is said to be reliable when:
Assessment decisions made by different assessors are consistent for different candidates over a period of time.
Assessment results are the same for any candidate, no matter how many times they are assessed.
Select, from the phrases given in the options, the one that correctly completes the following statement. An assessment strategy is said to have transparency:
When the assessment results are made publically available to everyone.
When all assessors agree with the assessment methods to be used.
When all candidates are fully informed of their results for all assessments.
When the exact requirements for each assessment are clearly communicated to all candidates.
Select, from the phrases given in the options, the one that most accurately completes the following statement. An assessment strategy can be said to be valid if:
The assessment tests the majority of the learning objectives and therefore a good example of the outcomes is measured.
At least some of the assessment tests are related directly to the defined learning objectives.
The assessment tests all the learning objectives and therefore all of the intended outcomes are fully measured.
An acceptable number of candidates successfully complete each assessment test.
Summative assessment is usually carried out either at the end of a programme of learning or as each section of the programme is completed. Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to summative assessment?
Summative assessment is another term for pre-assessment.
Summative assessment is only used for grading of learners.
Summative assessment can be used to provide feedback as to the effectiveness of a programme.
When assessing a candidate’s affective skills, which one of the following are the best methods for an assessor to use?
Direct observation and written examination.
Written projects and examinations.
One to one discussion and oral questions2.
One to one or group discussion and direct observation.
When assessing a candidate’s psychomotor skills, which one of the following is the most appropriate for an assessor to employ?
Direct observation of a work task.
Oral questioning and written tests.
Which of the following is the main reason why the duration of an assessment should be limited?
The longer the assessment lasts, the more marking an assessor will have to do.
With unlimited time, anyone will be able to pass an assessment so time should be limited.
If an assessment lasts too long, candidates may not be able to perform to their full ability throughout.
Which of the following is the most appropriate method that an assessor can use to test a candidate’s ability to apply knowledge or understanding?
By setting the candidate a problem to solve or a task to complete.
By setting a written examination.
By oral questioning of the candidate.
Only by direct observation.
Which of the following most accurately defines the term “collaboration” in relation to assessment of candidates?
Claiming work submitted for assessment is their own work when another person has contributed to it.
It is when a candidate uses prohibited material during an examination.
Work submitted for assessment to which individuals other than the candidate have knowingly contributed.
It is concealing prohibited material during an examination for reference purposes.
Which of the following most accurately defines the term “plagiarism” in relation to assessment of a candidate?
Claiming work submitted for assessment is their own work when another person has contributed to it.
Falsely claiming work submitted for assessment is their own without the knowledge of the person it actually belongs to.
It is when one candidate gives another candidate the correct answer during an examination.
It is concealing prohibited material during an examination for reference purposes.
Which of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to assessment by direct observation?
It can normally be used alone to assess a candidate’s proficiency in a physical activity and their knowledge and understanding.
It can normally be used alone to fully assess both a candidate’s proficiency in a physical activity and their competence.
It cannot normally be used alone to assess a candidate’s proficiency in a physical activity or their competence.
It can normally be used alone to assess a candidate’s proficiency in a physical activity, but not always their competence.
Which one of the following statements is most accurate in relation to the use of oral questions2 for group assessment?
Some candidates may be more comfortable in a group situation and this may encourage them to contribute more.
It is a good method to adopt, as the weak candidates will probably gain all of the necessary knowledge from the strong candidates.
It is the best form of assessment, as someone in the group is sure to know the correct answer and so the group will pass the assessment.
Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to a person who is given a completely new work role?
There may be a need to give additional training to the person in order to improve their existing skills or teach them additional skills.
The only way to learn how to perform a new work role is “on the job” so providing additional training is a waste of time and effort.
Training is expensive, so it should only be given when new technology is introduced in the work place.
If a person has been competent in their former work role then they will be competent in any new role.
Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to assessment of competence?
As long as a candidate can complete a task of work then they are competent regardless of how they do it.
Competence can only be assessed by direct observation of a candidate carrying out a physical task.
Since competence usually involves a combination of skills, then more than one assessment method will normally be required to test whether or not a candidate is competent.
The best method to use for testing a candidate’s competence is always a combination of written and oral tests.
Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to assessment of the competence of a group of candidates?
All candidates should be assessed by exactly the same means in order to ensure fairness in the assessment.
Assessors are usually extremely busy and cannot concern themselves with individual candidate needs.
If any of the candidate’s cannot complete an assessment due to their individual characteristics then the assessor should just fail them.
Assessors should consider the best methods for assessing each individual candidate in order to ensure that assessment are effective and fair.
Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to the limitations of using oral questioning when assessing a candidate?
Oral questioning does not allow an assessor to make a proper judgement of the candidate’s psychomotor skills.
There are no limitations to the use of oral questioning when assessing any of a candidate’s proficiencies.
Oral questioning does not allow an assessor to make a proper judgement of the candidate’s knowledge and understanding.
Which one of the following statements is the most accurate in relation to the potential for assessment to encourage learning?
Only candidates that are successful are motivated by assessment and wish to learn more.
Candidates who are unsuccessful in assessment are always put off any further learning activity.
All assessment can encourage learning when appropriate feedback is given.
Only summative assessment can provide motivation for candidates to learn more.
Which one of the given statements is the most accurate in relation to the learning objectives used in a programme of learning?
A learning objective is a specific statement which describes what the teacher or trainer will do in order that the learner will learn something during a programme of learning.
A learning objective is a specific statement which describes what the learner should be able to do, or will know, after completing a programme of learning.
A learning objective is a specific statement which describes what the learner should be able to do, or will know, after completing a section within a programme of learning.
Which one of the phrases given in the options correctly completes the following statement? Associative learning is improved by feedback from assessment which:
Is positive and concentrates only on the good elements of a candidate’s performance.
Compares a candidate’s performance with the performance of others.
Is negative and concentrates only on the poor elements of a candidate’s performance.
Encourage a leaner to practice and improve component parts of a skill and therefore the skill overall.
Which one of the given statements is the most accurate in relation to the learning objectives used in a programme of learning?
A learning objective is a specific statement which describes what the learner should be able to do, or will know, after completing a section within a programme of learning.
A learning objective is a general statement which describes what the learner should be able to do, or will know, after completing a programme of learning.
Which one of the phrases given in the options correctly completes the following statement? Associative learning is improved by feedback from assessment which:
Is positive and concentrates only on the good elements of a candidate’s performance.
Compares a candidate’s performance with the performance of others.
Is negative and concentrates only on the poor elements of a candidate’s performance.
Encourages a learner to practice and improve component parts of a skill and therefore the skill overall.
Which one of the phrases given in the options most accurately completes the following statement? Feedback to a candidate following assessment is important because:
It is usually a requirement of the assessment strategy quality assurance process.
It is the only way to let the candidate know the result of the assessment.
It is better to offer feedback than to draw up an improvement plan for the candidate.
It should motivate the candidate by highlighting areas of strength as well as areas for improvement.
Why is it important that assessors follow best practice when planning and carrying out an observational assessment?
Best practice means that there are fixed methods that work for every candidate in every situation.
A totally inexperienced assessor will always make the correct judgement if they follow best practice.
Following best practice means that nothing will ever go wrong during an assessment.
It gives the candidate the best opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency.