Assessment Guide

ASSESSMENTS

Assessment are an important part of courses that help evaluate understanding of the skills and knowledge taught. They also identify areas where  additional learning or support may be required.

The information below is provided to help give you a better understanding about assessments at The Gordon. If you need further information, please ask your teacher.

Unit Guide

Each unit of study will have a Unit Guide which will be provided to students by your teacher. The Unit Guide provides details about:

• what the unit is about
• how the unit is delivered
• what the assessments are
• any specific rules.

Unit Guides can also be found on GordonOnline.

The Gordon uses a range of methods to assess students in  each unit of competency that are aligned to training package specifications.

Assessment methods include:

• Questioning:
• Direct Observation:
• Portfolio
• Product (Project/ Assignment/ Case study/ presentation)

Third party evidence (including work placement)

Workplace assessments

Some qualifications and units of competency may require workplace assessments, either by the employer or through practical placements organised by The Gordon. Any workplace requirements are outlined in the Unit Guide.

Online assessments

In general, all assessments are completed in or uploaded to Gordon Online.

Students may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), for units of competency that may have been acquired through previous training, and/or work and/ or life experience. If you believe you qualify for RPL, discuss it with your teacher as soon as possible.

Students who have a disability, language, literacy or numeracy issue, or feel will be unfairly disadvantaged may apply for reasonable adjustment. Please talk to your assessor before the assessment is due.

Additional documentary evidence may be required to support a request for reasonable adjustment. Any reasonable adjustment can only be made if it does not undermine the specific requirements of the unit of competency.

Assessment due dates will be communicated through Gordon Online.

You can find information on assessment dates and due dates on Gordon Online.  Detailed information about each specific task will be provided closer to the deadline. If you have any uncertainties, ask your teacher for clarification.

If you cannot submit your assessment task on time, you may be able to get an extension if you have a valid reason such as illness, a family member’s death or court attendance. Note that holidays or work-related commitments are generally not considered valid reasons for extensions.

You must send a written request (via email) to your teacher before the due date, accompanied by appropriate documentary evidence.

If you do not request an extension based on a valid reason or meet the deadline for an extension prior to the submission date it will be considered a first attempt at the task, and you will receive a “not satisfactory” first attempt.

The Gordon takes cheating very seriously. There are penalties for students found to be cheating in an assessment.

Cheating can take different forms, for example, copying the work, writing, drawings or photographs created by other people and passing them off as your own.

You must make it clear if you are quoting or using other people’s work.  To reduce the likelihood of the authenticity of your work being questioned, you should maintain a copy of all work you submit for assessment and maintain copies of any drafts and make it very clear if: 

• quoting or using other people’s work 
• the task has been completed as part of a group project
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, such as ChatGPT has been used in the assessment work.

Individual assessment task results are available in Gordon Online 'Gradebook.'

Tasks are usually marked as either 'not satisfactory' or 'satisfactory.' After receiving a satisfactory result for all tasks, students will achieve a Competent (CM) outcome for the unit. The overall unit result is available in eCentral.

You can also view your results through E-Central. Units are ungraded and are reported as ‘Competent’ or ‘Not Yet Competent’. 

Students are allowed one resubmission or reattempt of an assessment task before being marked as "unsatisfactory."  Teachers will provide guidance on the new submission date and the areas to review or improve.

 
Students have the right to appeal results in the following cases:

• Requesting a review of a result.
• Lodge a formal complaint regarding any aspect of the assessment process.

You have 10 days from the date you receive your results to make an appeal. The response to your appeal will be provided within ten working days.

Contact your teacher or, if unavailable, the Vocational Education Manager or the Risk Safety and Wellness Office for the assessment appeals procedure.

If you need to repeat a unit of competency, you must meet with the Business Manager. They will assess your specific circumstances and discuss the implications for your overall course completion. This meeting will help you understand the requirements and potential support available to improve your chances of success.

Enrolment Fee: Keep in mind that your initial enrolment fee only covers the first attempt at the unit of competency. For any additional attempts, a fee will be charged.