Learning Objective:

After reading this information sheet you should be able to explain the context of assessment:

When  preparing  a  candidate  for  assessment  it  should  result  to supportive assessment environment;

• Suitable for the assessment
• Candidate is relaxed and not apprehensive
• Establish rapport with candidate
• Provide overview of the process
• Advise candidate on assessment conditions
• Answer candidate questions

Preparing a candidate for assessment is an orientation activity that will inform the candidate of the following:

• context and purpose of the assessment and the assessment process
• competency standards to be assessed and the evidence to be collected
• assessment procedure, the preparation which the candidate should undertake and answer any questions
• needs and    any    allowable    adjustments     in    the               assessment procedure
• understanding of     the      competency     standards,                                  evidence requirements and assessment process
• readiness for assessment and decide on the time and place of the assessment

Context of Assessment

The context of assessment is the environment or setting in which the assessment activity takes place. A combination of circumstance may be prepared and established prior to the assessment as this will ensure that the assessment process will take place as expected.

The context of assessment includes the following:

1. Physical setting– this maybe the workplace, an assessment center, community project or online set-up. A venue for assessment should be made accessible to the candidates for their convenience. The assessor should also ensure that the assessment site is conducive for
2. Tools, equipment and facilities– The assessor should introduce to the candidate the different tools, equipment and facilities that will be used in the assessment
3. Materials – The assessor should also introduce to the candidate the perishable and consumables materials required during the assessment. The assessor must also ensure that all documents pertinent to the assessment are ready and available prior to
4. Purpose of assessment-The assessor should have an understanding of the purpose of assessment such as certification, licensing, OH&S, skills audit.
5. Employment status of candidate – the assessor can ask questions to the candidate to know if the assessment is directly related to the candidate’s work?
6. Access to support personnel – one of the things that the assessors should do in preparing the candidate is to introduce the support staff that will be a part of the assessment process. It can be a tool keeper or the one who will issue to you the needed supplies or