“Authentic assessment” is one of those terms everyone in higher education seems to mention but how many truly understand what it means, its implications, and how it reshapes the way we design exams?
At its core, authentic assessment is about aligning evaluation with real-world tasks and competencies. Instead of testing rote memorisation or isolated skills, it challenges students to demonstrate knowledge in contexts that mirror professional practice. Sounds great in theory, but in practice, it often requires a shift in how institutions approach assessment.