What is Internal Quality Assurance of assessment?
Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) of assessment is the systematic process of monitoring, reviewing, and improving assessment practices within an organisation to ensure that they are fair, consistent, reliable, and meet awarding organisation requirements.
Internal Quality Assurance is the process carried out within a training provider, college, or workplace to make sure that assessments:
- Are valid (assess the right things),
- Are reliable (produce consistent results),
- Meet national standards,
- Are delivered fairly and ethically.
It is usually done by a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) who works alongside assessors and learners.
Key activities of an IQA
- Sampling assessments – Reviewing a selection of completed learner work to ensure consistency.
- Standardisation – Ensuring all assessors apply the same standards by holding regular team meetings and training.
- Supporting assessors – Providing feedback, guidance, and professional development.
- Checking compliance – Making sure assessors follow internal policies and awarding organisation requirements.
- Ensuring fairness – Confirming that learners are assessed ethically, equally, and with appropriate support.
- Preparing for external quality assurance (EQA) – Helping the organisation be ready for awarding organisation visits.
Why is IQA important?
- Maintains assessment quality and credibility
- Promotes learner confidence in the fairness of the process
- Reduces risk of appeals and malpractice
- Improves assessor performance through support and feedback
- Meets awarding organisation and regulatory requirements (e.g., Ofqual)
Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) is a quality control process carried out by an internal verifier or IQA to ensure that assessments are consistent, fair, valid, and reliable, and that assessors are supported in delivering high standards.
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