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Alternative Assessments

Alternative assessments, sometimes referred to as authentic assessments, provide learners with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through meaningful, applied, and often real-world tasks.

Unlike traditional assessments that may focus primarily on recall or recognition of information, alternative assessments often emphasize application, analysis, reflection, problem solving, communication, and creation. These assessments encourage learners to actively engage with course concepts and demonstrate learning in multiple ways.

 

Comparing Assessment Approaches

Traditional and alternative assessments differ in their purpose, structure, and approach to demonstrating learning. While traditional assessments often focus on recall and individual performance, alternative assessments typically emphasize application, reflection, problem solving, and authentic learning experiences.

Read the table from left to right to compare characteristics of traditional and alternative assessment approaches.
Traditional Assessments Alternative Assessments
Topics and questions are not typically tied to real-world contexts. Topics and questions are relevant to the discipline and often include real-world applications.
Often focus on a single skill or factual recall and may emphasize one correct answer. Often integrate multiple skills and encourage reflection, justification, and problem solving. There may be more than one possible solution or response.
Assessment questions and criteria may not always be shared in advance. Assessment expectations, criteria, and instructions are typically communicated clearly in advance.
Learners may have only one opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge or performance. Learners may have multiple opportunities to practice, receive feedback, revise, and demonstrate learning over time.

Alternative and Authentic Assessments

The terms alternative assessment and authentic assessment are often used interchangeably, but they are slightly different.

Alternative assessments refer broadly to assessment approaches that move beyond traditional tests and exams. Authentic assessments are a type of alternative assessment that focus specifically on real-world, applied, or discipline-relevant tasks.

For example, a reflective journal may be considered an alternative assessment, while a case study, simulation, or professional proposal may be considered more authentic because it mirrors tasks learners may encounter outside the classroom.

Application

Alternative and authentic assessments can be used in many different ways to support learner engagement, provide meaningful feedback, and create opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge and skills.

These assessments may be particularly useful when you want learners to:

  • Apply concepts to real-world or discipline-specific situations
  • Demonstrate problem solving or critical thinking
  • Communicate ideas in multiple formats
  • Collaborate with peers
  • Reflect on their learning or experiences
  • Connect theory to practice
  • Revise and improve their work over time
  • Demonstrate learning beyond memorization or recall

 

Types of Alternative and Authentic Assessments

There are many alternatives to traditional assessments that can help learners engage more deeply with course material while demonstrating knowledge and skills in different ways.

  • Untimed Assessments
    Untimed assessments focus on learners' ability to apply knowledge and skills rather than complete tasks quickly. These assessments may help reduce time-related barriers and encourage deeper thinking.
  • Retake Policies

    Assessment retakes or revisions can provide learners with opportunities to apply feedback, improve performance, and continue developing their understanding over time.

  • Open-Book Exams
    Open-book exams often focus on application, analysis, and higher-order thinking rather than memorization or recall. Learners may be asked to interpret, evaluate, or apply information in meaningful ways.
  • Collaborative or Group Assessments

    Collaborative assessments encourage learners to discuss ideas, solve problems together, and engage in peer learning. These assessments can also help develop communication and teamwork skills.

  • Multimedia Presentations

    Multimedia assessments allow learners to communicate knowledge using digital formats such as videos, podcasts, websites, or visual presentations. These approaches may support creativity and multiple forms of expression.

  • Concept Maps

    Concept maps help learners organize information, identify relationships between ideas, and visually represent understanding of complex concepts.

  • Case Studies

    Case studies require learners to analyze discipline-specific scenarios and apply course concepts to propose solutions, recommendations, or responses.

  • Annotated Bibliographies
    Annotated bibliographies ask learners to summarize, analyze, and evaluate sources related to a topic or research question.
  • Summaries and Critical Reflections
    Summaries and reflections encourage learners to identify key ideas, connect concepts, and reflect on their learning or experiences.
  • Proposals
    Proposals require learners to present, justify, and communicate a plan, recommendation, or solution to a problem or issue.

 

References

Indiana University Bloomington. (n.d.). Authentic Assessment. Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning. https://citl.indiana.edu/teaching-resources/assessing-student-learning/authentic-assessment/index.html

University of Minnesota. (n.d.). Alternative Assessment Strategies. Center for Educational Innovation.

Wiggins, G. P. (1998). Educative assessment: Designing assessments to inform and improve student performance. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.