Assessment Overview

Initial Assessment

Initial Assessment

Initial Assessment is the first part of the RARPA process.  It provides the platform for course development, and ensures the curriculum is appropriate to the learners needs.

Initial Assessment:

• Establishes the existing skill and knowledge levels of learners
• May establish how each learner learns
• Introduces learners to some of the skills and knowledge they will need to acquire on the programme
• Provides information to help tutors plan the programme
• Can be a fun way of getting learners used to assessment without it being too intimidating

Well-planned and executed initial assessment is integral to the induction process.  This may commence at the enrolment stage with a pre-course questionnaire to establish learners’ interests, experience and motivation.  It may be part of the “getting to know you” activity in induction.

It is important, however, that there is also

• some form of skill/knowledge assessment which can be validated by the tutor
• discussion with individual learners about what they can do and want to be able to do

See ‘first session’ section of this handbook for more information.