What is synoptic assessment? Defining and operationalising an as yet non-mainstream assessment concept

ABSTRACT

Synoptic assessment refers to the assessment of students’ understanding of the links between the different elements of a subject. Despite its ability to promote a holistic delivery of the curriculum and deep learning, it is currently an under-researched topic in the field of educational assessment. In fact, an electronic search for the term synoptic assessment in major academic databases yielded only four related resources. To address this gap in research, this study investigated synoptic assessment both as a theoretical construct and as a tool for advancing students’ learning. First, it attempted to illuminate the concept of synoptic assessment by situating it in the broader educational literature. Secondly, it sought to operationalise it by developing a framework that captures the different routes via which synoptic assessment can be incorporated into the design of academic and vocational courses.

KEYWORDS:

• Synoptic assessment
• synoptic learning
• integrative learning
• intra-disciplinary learning
• syllabus

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Filio Constantinou

Filio Constantinou is a senior researcher at Cambridge Assessment. She has conducted research in a number of areas including assessment design, the nature of examination questions, examination question writing, and the socio-political underpinnings of assessment.