For many learners in Aotearoa, assessment isn’t just a measure of progress - it can be a source of confusion, stress, and disconnection. From school leavers adjusting to new university expectations, to vocational learners strong in practical skills but struggling with written tasks, to neurodivergent learners in environments that don’t suit the way they think, the challenges are real and widespread.
While in practice it can take many forms, the ultimate goal of assessment is to enhance learning outcomes by providing educators with insights into the effectiveness of their teaching and giving learners the support they need to grow and succeed.
Too often, assessment is treated as a final checkbox — a test, a grade, a tick at the end of learning. But in the spirit of ako, where teaching and learning are deeply relational and reciprocal, assessment should be a process that values and responds to the diverse strengths, learning styles and ways of knowing that learners bring.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, our learners reflect a rich mix of cultures, identities, neurodiversity, and learning journeys — from school leavers to second-chance learners, from vocational trainees to university students. So, we must ask: does assessment genuinely support all learners to thrive? Or are we still relying on one-size-fits-all approaches that no longer serve our collective aspirations for equity and excellence?
At the same time, rapid changes in technology — particularly the rise of generative AI — are forcing educators to rethink what they’re assessing, how they assess it, and what authenticity means in a digitally saturated world.
Assessment is far more than a procedural step - it's a dynamic part of teaching and learning. To better understand its role and impact, we'll explore the foundations of assessment, the different forms it takes, and the benefits it can offer when done well.
What are the benefits of assessment?
Assessment enables educators to gather information about learners and use it to evaluate their level of knowledge and understand what the learner needs to progress. Assessment is also beneficial for learners to understand what they have learned and how they can best progress. These are valuable insights for both educators and learners.
Assessment for educators:
- Used to inform educators about a learner's strengths and where they may need more support
- Allows educators to reflect on what’s working and what’s not and to adapt their teaching methods to support all learners on their educational journeys
- Encourages educators to be present and hands-on during a learning experience
- Helps educators to demonstrate that learning outcomes are being met
Assessment for learners:
- Helps learners understand what they have learned and see where there may be gaps in their learning
- Encourages learners to develop their own learning processes that work for them
- Provides learners with the information and guidance they need to be able to plan and manage the next steps in their learning journey
- Offers clarity on what needs to be done to progress in their learning and achieve goals
- Breaks down educational material into digestible chunks
What are the different types of assessment?
There is no single model for assessment. Recognising that all learners are unique in how they process and apply what they learn enables educators to tailor their approach to create meaningful outcomes. There are generally three primary purposes of assessment:
Assessment for Learning is used to guide educators in selecting the most effective teaching methods for learners.
Assessment of Learning is a way for educators to determine whether and to what extent the learning outcomes have been achieved.
Assessment as Learning involves students in the learning process by teaching them how to think critically, solve problems and set achievable goals for themselves to measure their progress.
These reasons for assessment all play a critical role in the teaching and learning process and can take on very different forms depending on the learning environment:
- A university lecturer writing an exam for a student and grading them
- A work-based assessor signing off on an apprentice’s work
- A student taking part in a face-to-face assessment with their teacher
- An online assessment that a student takes under time pressure
- A classroom-based assessment where learners are assessed in groups
- A workplace assessment where an employee is tested on site
What are the challenges of assessment?
When educators don’t equip learners with the tools to succeed in assessment early on, learners can struggle as they make their way through different life stages and learning environments.
Emerging technologies like AI are also disrupting traditional models of assessment. Learners and educators alike are grappling with unclear boundaries around what’s acceptable, raising new questions about academic integrity, fairness, and digital literacy.
Case Study 1: Developing independent learning Skills
Student Profile:
Arihi, a first-year science student from Wellington, was known for being highly organised and academically strong in high school.
Challenge:
At university, Arihi found herself needing to make decisions about how to study, where to find information, and how to structure her time. Unlike school, there were no reminders, step-by-step guides, or check-ins — she was expected to manage all of that herself.
Impact:
Despite her motivation, Arihi quickly became overwhelmed and started falling behind. Without the familiar scaffolding of secondary school, she struggled to keep up with assessments and deadlines.
Insight:
Even high-achieving students can feel lost when they’re suddenly expected to learn independently. Without guidance, the transition to self-management and critical thinking can be jarring and stressful.
Case Study 2: Adapting to industry-specific expectations at a polytechnic
Student Profile:
Sione enrolled in a New Zealand Certificate in Construction at a regional Polytechnic, following a general education background at secondary school.
Challenge:
Sione was excited about moving into a practical learning environment. However, the classroom sessions had assessments that required detailed technical reports and drawings that used unfamiliar industry language. While his tutors were supportive, much of the content assumed prior exposure to the construction sector.
Impact:
Sione’s first assignments came back with poor marks and comments he didn’t fully understand. He found it hard to interpret the feedback and felt embarrassed asking questions — especially when others in his class already had work experience in the industry.
Insight:
In applied learning environments like ITPs, assessment can assume a level of prior industry familiarity that not all learners have. For students coming straight from school, targeted scaffolding and clear explanations of industry norms can make a significant difference in confidence and achievement.
Case Study 3: Navigating the uncertainty around AI Tools
Student Profile:
Mele is a first-year commerce student who transitioned directly from secondary school, where she excelled in digital technologies and used AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm and improve her writing.
Challenge:
In her first university assignment, Mele used an AI tool to help her generate an outline and check her grammar — similar to what she had done in school. However, when she submitted her work, she was pulled up for possible academic misconduct. There had been no clear discussion in her course about what kind of AI use was acceptable, and she didn’t realise her approach might be considered inappropriate.
Impact:
The experience left Mele confused and anxious. She felt she was being punished for using a tool she had been encouraged to engage with in school. She became hesitant to ask for help or experiment with her writing again, fearing she would get it wrong.
Insight:
As AI becomes a part of everyday learning, students entering tertiary education are often unclear about how — or if — they’re allowed to use it. Without consistent guidance or discussion about what constitutes ethical use, learners can easily find themselves in grey areas that carry high stakes. Clear communication and supportive policies are essential as educators and students adapt to this new landscape together.
Case Study 4: Balancing assessment with real-world work pressures
Student Profile:
Hemi is completing a Level 4 Certificate in Electrical Engineering through a work-based learning programme, splitting time between classroom modules and hands-on work with an employer.
Challenge:
While Hemi thrived in practical tasks on the job, he struggled with completing written reflections and theory-based assessments required by the training provider. The assessment expectations — especially around academic writing and referencing — felt disconnected from his day-to-day work and were never something he had been taught how to do.
Impact:
Hemi often left assessments to the last minute, unsure of what was expected and worried about doing it wrong. His employer valued his practical skills, but he began to feel that the paperwork side of the qualification might trip him up.
Insight:
Learners in work-based settings often excel in hands-on environments but can feel alienated by formal academic assessment requirements. Without targeted support to build confidence and skills in areas like reflective writing, these learners risk disengagement — not because they lack ability, but because the assessment style feels irrelevant to their reality.
Enhancing teaching and learning outcomes
These case studies remind us that assessment is not just about measuring learning - it's about shaping it. For many learners, assessment can either be a gateway to confidence and growth or a barrier to participation and success.
To be truly effective, assessment must move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. It must be relational, responsive, and rooted in the principles of ako - recognising the strengths, identities, and aspirations each learner brings.
As we face new challenges - from the transition into independent learning to navigating the impacts of AI - our approach to assessment must evolve accordingly. Only then can it serve its true purpose: supporting every learner to thrive, and every educator to teach in ways that matter.
Additional resources:
NZQA: Assessment resources and guidelines
TLRI: Developing assessment policy: A guide for tertiary institutions
The University of Auckland: Rethinking Assessment
Ako Aotearoa is a government-funded organisation committed to supporting the country’s tertiary sector teachers, trainers, and educators to be the best they can be for the success of all learners.