Assessment
Assessment is an important part of the way you study and serves learning in a number of key ways.
Regular assessment
The assessment process determines the standard you're working towards and demonstrates the standard you're already achieving. Regular assessments allow you to review your progress and development and any problems with learning can be highlighted early on.
'Formative' and 'summative' assessments
Your progression is assessed in relation to your knowledge and work in clinical practice. 'Formative' and 'summative' assessments are used to help provide you with continual feedback so that you can identify strengths as well as areas for improvement. Feedback is provided in a number of different ways including online written feedback, feedback from peers, tutors and small groups, and your own feedback. All students have a portfolio or file of assessments and meet weekly with their academic tutor to reflect on their progress.
Applied dental knowledge test
The Applied Dental Knowledge progress test is one of the key assessments. It's in the form of a multiple choice format and is designed to access long-term and practical knowledge rather than detailed and easily forgotten 'facts'. It's a measure of how good you are at learning rather than how good you are at revision. You also receive a line graph that plots your progress against the year group.
Other formats
Other assessment formats include structured clinical examinations, portfolios, scientific report writing and multiple clinical judgements.
