Validation and Moderation
Assessment validation is defined as:
a process for ensuring that the way a unit of competency or group of units is assessed, and the evidence collected through these assessments, is consistent with the requirements of the unit or group of units of competency and of industry. It includes validating the assessment process, the assessment tools and instruments, the evidence collected using tools and instruments, and the interpretation of that evidence to make a judgement of competence in relation to the same unit(s) of competency.
Validation may be undertaken before, during and after the actual assessment activity occurs and may include both formative and summative assessment. The latter includes assessment for the purpose of granting RPL.
(Source: AQTF 2007 – Users’ Guide to the Essential Standards for Registration, p.51)
Assessment validation includes, but goes beyond, assessment moderation which is defined as:
a process which involves assessors in discussing and reaching agreement about assessment processes and outcomes in a particular industry or industry sector. It enables assessors to develop a shared understanding of the requirements of specific Training Packages, including the relevant competency standards and assessment guidelines, the nature of evidence, how evidence is collected and the basis on which assessment decisions are made.
(Source: TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package Glossary of Terms)
Moderation is the process of bringing assessment judgements and standards into alignment. It is a process that ensures that the same standards are applied to all assessment results within the same units/s of competency.
(Source National Quality Council 2009 Implementation Guide: Validation and Moderation)