Judging Evidence in Competence Assessments: A Guide for Assessors

As an Assessor, your role is to judge the evidence presented by a candidate and decide whether it confirms their competence. To do this effectively, the evidence must meet the recognised Rules of Evidence (see our post on Collecting Evidence).

Key Points for Accurate Judgement

When judging evidence, keep the following in mind:

Be clear on what the performance criteria require the candidate to demonstrate.
Follow the systems and procedures set out in the competence scheme, which provide guidance on types of acceptable evidence.
Stay up to date with awarding body or employer requirements for assessment practice, such as IMCA guidelines.
Know who to ask for support if you encounter problems with assessment — for example, the MTCS team.
Discuss the assessment process regularly with other Assessors.
Be aware of the ways you could assess inaccurately.

Common Causes of Inaccurate Assessment

Assessments can be influenced by several factors, including:

Misunderstanding or confusion over what the performance criteria mean.
Relying on your own interpretation without consulting other Assessors.
Personal prejudices that place too much emphasis on certain criteria or competencies.

Environmental Factors

The environment can also affect your judgement. For example:

Assessments carried out under extreme time pressures.
Work completed in adverse weather conditions.
Tasks observed while in base or on port call, where the environment may feel more relaxed.

Overcoming Difficulties in Judging Evidence

To ensure your assessments remain reliable and fair, consider these points:

Confirm that you fully understand the performance criteria.
Identify who you can turn to for clarification — either within your organisation or the awarding body.
Recognise situations that could lead to unreliable judgements and plan to overcome them.
Consider the differing levels of experience among candidates and establish their skill base before assessment.
Consult the competence scheme to understand how potential difficulties can be addressed.
Remain aware of language and cultural differences when judging evidence.

Expert Tips from Richard Warburton, MTCS Founder:

Understand and know the performance criteria in the competence scheme thoroughly.
Always consider the bigger picture — the candidate’s ability, the limitations of the environment, and the circumstances of the assessment.
Do not hesitate to seek a second opinion from a fellow Assessor.
tay alert to personal biases that could affect your judgement.
Remember: success is in the pre-planning.