What is an Authentic Assessment?

An authentic assessment is a way to assess the knowledge that students have learned in a course or program in real world situations. Authentic assessments are unlike traditional tests, because they don't just test what you've studied. Instead, they test how well you can apply your knowledge to real-world situations. Authentic assessment can take place in many different ways. For example:

• Students might be asked to write an essay about a topic related to their course.
• Students might be asked to design and build something based on their coursework.
• Students might be asked to solve a problem using skills they learned in class.

Why are authentic assessments important?

Authentic assessments are important because they give you the most accurate reading of a student's knowledge and skill level. Students learn best when they are able to apply what they know in real-world situations, so giving them an assessment that mimics their environment helps them understand exactly where they're at in their learning.