Keep assessing assessments: 6 ways to improve your assessment skills

By Andy Chandler-Grevatt2021-08-03T07:53:00

A cartoon of a teacher considering how appropriate the test she's writing is for the chemistry topic and for her students

Source: © Claudia Flandoli

Why you need to monitor how you use assessments, and how students can make the most of them

Assessment is a complex concept. It’s influenced by philosophical assumptions, constrained by policy and every school uses it differently. Regardless of those considerations, assessment is a useful and valid part of science education. To make sure you’re making the most of it in your practice, science teacher trainer and OUP assessment editor Andy Chandler-Grevatt describes how to examine your use of tests.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.