Everyone learns differently, and in CPD training, your study approach is as important as the content.
At The Assessment Network, we offer professional development in four distinct formats to suit the diverse needs and time commitments of our assessment community:
All our training options are developed by experienced Cambridge experts and consultants, who continually review and refine the content to ensure it provides an exceptional learning experience.
However, the choice of how you learn is yours.
To help you choose the most suitable format, we’ve created this guide to explore each option, so you can find the perfect learning pathway to enhance your assessment practice.
A102: Introduction to Assessment Practice is challenging yet gratifying. Each week, I’ve gained valuable insights from the weekly activities and the dynamic, interactive discussion forum."
Marcia Hudson, Assessment Examination Officer and Health Regulator, United Kingdom
What is monitored learning?
The monitored option offers a structured, multiple-week course format, with new modules released weekly. Once the course starts, participants have roughly three hours of study a week, however, this does not have to be done at set times and can fit around your weekly schedule.
Over each week, learners will explore videos, research materials, and interactive slides at their own pace, with all content designed to make key assessment concepts clear and engaging. The monitored courses include active participation in a forum where learners interact with peers at the same week of their journey. A Monitor/Educator oversees the forum, facilitating discussions and reviewing conversations to enrich the learning experience. They also provide support for learners who fall behind with their study.
Please note, this option runs at specific times during the year and has limited capacity, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For A101, A102, and A103, there is an optional assignment where participants have two attempts to pass. This 1,500–2,000-word assignment, worth three additional CPD hours, allows participants to reflect on course topics and apply their learning to an area of interest in educational assessment. Exemplars and a detailed marking criteria set are provided to support submissions.
The A104 assignment involves analysing data from two tests to identify problematic items, compare difficulty, and determine a pass mark, using provided data and analysis techniques.
Why choose the monitored option?
- Ideal for independent learners who value interaction and collaboration with peers
- Will improve your assessment knowledge, challenge your assumptions, and make an impact on your day-to-day practice
- Encourages networking and the exchange of ideas to enhance learning through diverse perspectives
- Includes support from an assessment expert
- Structured learning with weekly content releases will improve your assessment knowledge
Monitored courses available:
I could have signed up for any of The Assessment Network courses; they all would have built on my knowledge in some way. However, I really liked the flexible format offered by A101 on-demand. At the time, many of my colleagues were enjoying the monitored version of the course. But as I was starting a new role, the self-study route worked perfectly with my schedule."
Stephen Ives, Assessment Manager, United Kingdom
What is on-demand learning?
On-demand courses provide maximum flexibility, allowing you to start immediately and study at your own pace.
For A101 and A102, the content is identical to their monitored counterparts; however, while learners have full control over their schedules, course progress is periodically reviewed to encourage consistent learning habits.
Each on-demand course has a set study period, outlined at sign-up, to help structure your learning. Access will end if the course is not completed within this timeframe.
An example of this is our classroom assessment course, where you will have 5 months to complete 12 hours of learning.
Over the study period, learners will explore interactive slides at their own pace, with all content designed to make key assessment concepts clear and engaging.
This format is particularly suited for organisations seeking scalable solutions, as on-demand courses can accommodate any number of participants at any time.
Optional assignments, the same as those in the monitored route, are available for A101 and A102.
Why choose the on-demand option?
- Perfect for highly independent learners who prefer flexibility and control over their study pace
- Allows for immediate access to course
- Will improve your assessment knowledge, challenge your assumptions, and make an impact on your day-to-day practice
- Includes suggested study timelines to help learners stay on track
- An excellent choice for organisations needing large-scale training solutions
On-demand courses you can start today:
The 'Understanding and Optimising Mark Schemes' workshop has been a game-changer for me as an educator. It provided valuable insights and strategies for developing clear, fair, and effective mark schemes aligned with learning objectives. This workshop has enhanced my assessment practices and empowered me to set transparent expectations for my students."
Daniel Owusu Nyantakyi, Teacher, Hong Kong
What are workshops?
Live workshops are interactive, practical sessions offered online, either as standalone events or as part of a series. These workshops focus on specific assessment skills, such as item banking, multiple-choice question design, and mark scheme development.
Led by assessment experts, these sessions require live attendance, providing opportunities for direct guidance and real-time answers to your questions. To receive certification for a workshop, you can only miss one session.
Participants can engage regularly throughout the online workshops via chat boxes, breakout rooms, polls, and quizzes.
Why choose our workshop option?
- Ideal for tackling specific challenges, developing new skills, or refreshing existing ones
- An interactive workshop where you can exchange knowledge with assessment peers
- Focused on specialised topics with live expert support
- Encourages immediate application of learning in professional practice
View our full list of workshops.
The CPD was transformational. We now have a group of senior and middle leaders who not only understand the underlying principles of assessment, they now know how to apply these to the construction of assessments for our students."
Nimish Lad, Vice Principal Senior School, Curriculum and Research Lead, CET
What is bespoke learning?
With access to Cambridge experts, our bespoke solutions can help meet your organisation's unique assessment training needs.
Our experts can create a bespoke solution tailored entirely to your requirements. Whether this is a combination of existing CPD or a completely unique project that is being proposed.
This can be delivered in-person or online depending on how you need the training facilitated, with the extensive experience of our team in working with schools, universities, awarding organisations, and government bodies leveraged to create the ideal solution.
Please note learning hours can be associated with bespoke training but will need to be part of the brief.
Why choose our bespoke solutions?
- Ideal for tackling specific challenges that your organisation needs expert support to resolve
- Flexible option which allows truly catered content and resources
- Options for online and in-person training delivery
- Regular contact with leading Cambridge assessment experts
- Strong focus on making a lasting change to the assessment culture across the entire team or organisation
Find out more about our bespoke learning solutions.
Monitored courses, on-demand and live workshops offered by The Assessment Network include associated learning hours that contribute towards the Assessment Practitioner Award for Members, which is achievable after completing 60 learning hours.
The majority of our professional development courses are also CPD accredited. Accredited courses are clearly marked with the CPD hours available, and a full list can be found on the CPD Standards website.
Some newer workshops and courses may not yet be accredited by the CPD Standards Office. However, as an assured provider of training excellence, all our workshops meet the same rigorous standards as our accredited training.
Learning hours can be associated with bespoke training but will need to be part of the brief.