IV. General principles of assessment

IV. General principles of assessment

15. The assessment establishes whether the learning outcomes described in the application comply with the learning outcomes of the course, module or curriculum the recognition of which is applied for. Assessment of the compliance of the learning outcomes described in the application is based on the assessment criteria of the learning outcomes of the course or module the recognition of which is applied for.

16. A minor difference in the volume of earlier studies and the components of learning or form of assessment of learning outcomes is not regarded as a reason for not recognising the course(s) or module(s).

17. The skills and knowledge acquired through the self-analysis of studies and professional experience are assessed irrespective of the method of achieving the result.

18. The acquisition of skills and knowledge acquired through learning in degree studies, other organised studies and professional experience and in the course of everyday activities and leisure time is assessed in a comprehensive manner. Depending on the learning outcomes, the time of studying and/or working may be taken into account upon assessment.

19. If the achievement of learning outcomes has not been assessed in the course of prior studies, non-differentiated assessment (the “pass”/“fail” scale) is used in the course of recognition of prior learning.

20. If the achievement of learning outcomes has been assessed in the course of prior studies according to an assessment system that is valid in Estonia at the moment of making the RPL decision, the result of the assessment of learning outcomes is not changed and the student is not required to take a new exam or assessment. If the achievement of learning outcomes has been assessed according to another assessment system, non-differentiated assessment is used for the transfer of grades.

21. Assessment relies on sufficient evidence. Primarily, the evidence of

21.1. prior learning is a document certifying the completion of a course or module and the version of the course or training programme, which describes the learning outcomes and the form of assessment;

21.2. professional experience is the description of work assignments (job description) and the description of skills and knowledge acquired by professional experience, and the applicants’ evaluation of their work (self-analysis).

22. Depending on learning outcomes, the committee may demand the submission of additional evidence (e.g. a learning portfolio, Europass documents, employer’s letter of recommendation or references) or use other assessment methods (monitoring or imitation of work, interview, etc.). The committee sets a deadline in agreement with the applicant to comply with the additional requirements. When reviewing the application, the committee is entitled to request an assessment from experts in the respective field.

23. Recognition of prior learning and professional experience must be based on original performance, so it cannot be based on a part of the curriculum already recognised in the RPL procedure.