6.5: Assessment Expectations

Criterion Overview

Students are more likely to be successful when they understand assessment expectations before they begin their work. Clearly communicating assessment requirements reduces uncertainty, helps students plan their time, and minimizes unnecessary stress. Whether an assessment includes a time limit, proctoring, prerequisite activity, minimum score requirement, special software, or multiple submission stages, students should be informed well in advance.

Providing clear expectations allows students to prepare appropriately and avoid preventable barriers that may affect their performance. Advance notice is particularly important for assessments that require scheduling, specialized technology, or additional preparation beyond a typical assignment.

Assessment expectations should be communicated consistently throughout the course. Including important requirements in the syllabus, assignment instructions, module overview, and assessment description helps ensure students can easily locate the information when they need it.

Why It Matters

Unexpected assessment requirements can create unnecessary frustration and negatively affect student performance. Students who understand assessment expectations are better prepared to manage their workload, arrange their schedules, test required technology, and seek assistance before an assessment begins.

Clear expectations also promote fairness and transparency. When assessment requirements are communicated consistently, students can focus their attention on demonstrating their learning rather than navigating unexpected procedures or technical requirements.

What This Looks Like

A well-designed course typically includes:

• Assessment instructions that clearly communicate all participation requirements.
• Advance notice of time limits, proctoring, prerequisite activities, minimum score requirements, or required technology.
• Clear directions for completing assessments, including any submission requirements or deadlines.
• Consistent communication of assessment expectations throughout the course.
• Information that is easy to locate within the module, assignment, or syllabus.

Students understand exactly what is required before beginning an assessment.

Design Tips

Ask yourself: Will students know exactly what they need to do, prepare, and complete before beginning this assessment?

✔ Clearly communicate all assessment requirements before students begin an assignment or assessment.

✔ Inform students in advance if assessments include proctoring, time limits, prerequisite activities, minimum scores, or specialized technology.

✔ Place assessment expectations where students naturally expect to find them, such as within the assignment instructions or module overview.

✔ Use consistent language and formatting throughout the course when communicating assessment requirements.

✔ Provide preparation resources or practice opportunities when students are using unfamiliar assessment tools or technologies.

✔ Review assessment instructions regularly to ensure they remain accurate and up to date.

✔ Minimize surprises by communicating important assessment requirements early and often.