ATU |Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification

1. Document Control

Document Title: ATU-CPAC Assessment Policy
Document Owner: ATU-CPAC Certification and Assessment Committee
Issuing Authority: Arab Trainers Union
Policy Authority: ATU-CPAC Governing Council
Approval Authority: Arab Trainers Union Board of Directors, where required
Effective Date: 1 June 2026
Review Date: Every three years, or earlier where required
Applicability: Candidates, learners, providers, assessment centers, assessors, IQAs, EQAs, committees, partners, and ATU-CPAC personnel involved in assessment activities

2. Introduction

The Arab Trainers Union Council for Professional Accreditation and Certification, referred to as ATU-CPAC, is a specialized council operating within the Arab Trainers Union.

ATU-CPAC regulates, governs, approves, monitors, quality assures, and verifies assessment activities connected to professional certification, assessed training programs, accredited professional programs, accredited training programs, and authorized assessment centers.

All certificates, professional certifications, assessed certificates, certificates of achievement, registry confirmations, and verification records governed by ATU-CPAC are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.

Assessment under ATU-CPAC must confirm that candidates or learners have met approved learning outcomes, assessment criteria, competency requirements, or professional standards before any certificate or certification is issued.

3. Purpose

This policy sets out how ATU-CPAC designs, approves, administers, marks, quality assures, records, reviews, and monitors assessments.

The policy aims to:

1. Protect the credibility of ATU-issued certificates and certifications.
2. Ensure assessment decisions are valid, reliable, fair, secure, and evidence-based.
3. Define assessment responsibilities for providers, assessors, IQAs, EQAs, and candidates.
4. Support consistent assessment practice across providers, programs, sectors, and delivery modes.
5. Prevent assessment malpractice, maladministration, fraud, and misuse of assessment evidence.
6. Ensure clear assessment rules, appeals, reasonable adjustments, and quality assurance.
7. Support accurate registry listing and certificate verification.

4. Scope

This policy applies to assessment activities related to:

1. ATU-CPAC professional certification.
2. Assessed training programs.
3. Certificates of achievement.
4. Accredited training programs.
5. Accredited professional programs.
6. Authorized assessment centers.
7. Provider-based assessments.
8. Online, blended, face-to-face, and workplace assessments.
9. Assignments, projects, examinations, portfolios, practical tasks, observations, and interviews.
10. RPL or experience-based assessment where approved.
11. Partner-endorsed or jointly supported assessment activities where applicable.

This policy does not apply to purely attendance-based learning activities unless assessment evidence is required for certificate issuance.

5. Assessment Principles

ATU-CPAC assessment shall be guided by the following principles.

5.1 Validity

Assessment shall measure the intended learning outcomes, assessment criteria, competencies, or professional standards.

5.2 Reliability

Assessment decisions shall be consistent across candidates, assessors, providers, delivery modes, and assessment cycles.

5.3 Fairness

Candidates shall receive clear instructions, equal opportunity, reasonable adjustment where applicable, and access to complaints and appeals.

5.4 Transparency

Assessment methods, criteria, pass marks, grading rules, submission rules, resubmission rules, and appeal rights shall be clearly communicated.

5.5 Security

Assessment materials, candidate evidence, examination papers, marking schemes, results, and records shall be protected from unauthorized access or misuse.

5.6 Impartiality

Assessment decisions shall be free from bias, conflict of interest, improper influence, commercial pressure, or personal relationship.

5.7 Evidence-Based Judgment

Assessment decisions shall be based on sufficient, authentic, current, relevant, and valid evidence.

5.8 Quality Assurance

Assessment shall be subject to internal quality assurance and, where required, external quality assurance.

5.9 Accessibility

Assessment should be designed and delivered in a way that allows fair access without reducing the required standard.

5.10 Continuous Improvement

Assessment findings, appeals, complaints, learner feedback, IQA, EQA, and performance data shall be used to improve assessment quality.

6. Assessment Methods

ATU-CPAC may approve one or more assessment methods according to the program or certification scheme.

Approved assessment methods may include:

1. Knowledge examination.
2. Multiple-choice examination.
3. Scenario-based examination.
4. Written assignment.
5. Professional project.
6. Case study.
7. Practical task.
8. Portfolio of evidence.
9. Observation of performance.
10. Presentation.
11. Professional interview.
12. Reflective report.
13. Workplace evidence.
14. Supervisor or expert testimony where approved.
15. Recognition of Prior Learning or experience-based evidence where approved.

Each assessment method must be appropriate to the level, purpose, outcomes, and risk of the certificate or certification.

7. Assessment Design Requirements

Each assessment shall be supported by approved assessment documentation.

Assessment documentation should include:

1. Assessment title.
2. Program or certification title.
3. Level and scope.
4. Learning outcomes or competency requirements.
5. Assessment criteria.
6. Candidate instructions.
7. Assessor instructions.
8. Evidence requirements.
9. Marking scheme or rubric.
10. Pass mark or grading rules.
11. Time limits where applicable.
12. Submission method.
13. Resubmission rules.
14. Academic integrity rules.
15. Reasonable adjustment guidance.
16. Feedback requirements.
17. Appeals information.
18. Version control.
19. Approval date.
20. Review date.

No assessment may be used for ATU-CPAC-governed certification or assessed certificates unless it has been approved through the required process.

8. Assessment Approval and Validation

Assessment instruments shall be reviewed and validated before use.

Validation shall confirm that the assessment:

1. Matches the intended learning outcomes or competencies.
2. Is suitable for the required level.
3. Uses clear language and instructions.
4. Has fair and measurable criteria.
5. Includes sufficient evidence requirements.
6. Has a clear marking rubric.
7. Can be marked consistently.
8. Protects assessment security.
9. Does not contain inappropriate bias.
10. Allows reasonable adjustment where applicable.
11. Includes academic integrity controls.
12. Is suitable for the delivery mode.

Assessment approval may be completed by the Certification and Assessment Committee, Standards and Frameworks Committee, approved technical experts, or delegated authority according to ATU-CPAC procedures.

9. Candidate Information and Assessment Rules

Before assessment, candidates must receive clear information about:

1. Assessment purpose.
2. Assessment method.
3. Assessment date or submission deadline.
4. Required evidence.
5. Assessment criteria.
6. Pass mark or grading rules.
7. Allowed resources.
8. Prohibited conduct.
9. Identity verification.
10. Academic integrity rules.
11. Use of artificial intelligence where applicable.
12. Late submission rules.
13. Resubmission rules.
14. Feedback process.
15. Complaints and appeals process.
16. Certificate or certification requirements.

Candidates are responsible for submitting authentic evidence and following all assessment rules.

10. Assessment Administration

Assessment administration shall be controlled, documented, and secure.

Assessment administration may include:

1. Candidate registration.
2. Identity verification.
3. Assessment scheduling.
4. Secure distribution of assessment materials.
5. Examination supervision or proctoring where required.
6. Submission tracking.
7. Evidence receipt confirmation.
8. Late submission recording.
9. Incident reporting.
10. Secure transfer to assessors.
11. Result recording.
12. Feedback release.
13. Retention of assessment records.

Authorized providers and assessment centers must administer assessments only within their approved scope.

11. Online and Remote Assessment

Online and remote assessment may be used where approved by ATU-CPAC.

Online and remote assessment must include appropriate controls for:

1. Candidate identity verification.
2. Secure access.
3. Assessment timing.
4. Submission tracking.
5. Proctoring where required.
6. Plagiarism or similarity checking where applicable.
7. AI-use declaration where required.
8. Data protection.
9. Technical support.
10. Incident reporting.
11. Backup arrangements.
12. Result security.

ATU-CPAC may restrict or reject online assessment methods where assessment integrity cannot be assured.

12. Marking and Assessment Decisions

Assessment decisions shall be made by approved assessors using approved criteria, rubrics, and marking guidance.

Assessors shall:

1. Review evidence fairly.
2. Apply the rubric consistently.
3. Record assessment decisions.
4. Provide clear feedback where required.
5. Identify insufficient or invalid evidence.
6. Declare conflicts of interest.
7. Maintain confidentiality.
8. Report malpractice concerns.
9. Cooperate with IQA and EQA.
10. Avoid assessing where impartiality is compromised.

Assessment decisions may include:

1. Pass.
2. Fail.
3. Competent.
4. Not yet competent.
5. Excellent.
6. Good.
7. Acceptable.
8. Not achieved.
9. Deferred pending evidence.
10. Reassessment required.

The approved grading scale shall be defined in the relevant program or certification scheme.

13. Evidence Requirements

Candidate evidence shall meet the following requirements.

13.1 Valid

The evidence must relate directly to the assessment criteria or competency requirements.

13.2 Authentic

The evidence must be the candidate’s own work.

13.3 Sufficient

The evidence must be enough to support a fair assessment decision.

13.4 Current

The evidence must be recent enough to demonstrate current competence or achievement.

13.5 Reliable

The evidence must support consistent assessment decisions.

13.6 Relevant

The evidence must be directly connected to the approved assessment task.

13.7 Traceable

The evidence must be recorded, stored, and linked to the candidate and assessment decision.

14. Internal Quality Assurance

Internal Quality Assurance, referred to as IQA, shall confirm that assessment decisions are fair, consistent, valid, and supported by sufficient evidence.

IQA may include:

1. Sampling candidate evidence.
2. Reviewing assessor decisions.
3. Reviewing feedback quality.
4. Reviewing borderline results.
5. Reviewing failed submissions.
6. Reviewing high-risk assessment cases.
7. Checking rubric application.
8. Monitoring assessor consistency.
9. Confirming corrective actions.
10. Supporting standardization meetings.

Assessment results may be withheld until required IQA has been completed.

15. External Quality Assurance

External Quality Assurance, referred to as EQA, may be required for selected programs, providers, assessment centers, high-risk assessments, partner-endorsed programs, or certification schemes.

EQA may include:

1. Review of assessment design.
2. Review of candidate evidence.
3. Sampling of assessor decisions.
4. Review of IQA records.
5. Provider or assessment center visit.
6. Remote assessment review.
7. Review of assessment security.
8. Review of complaints and appeals.
9. Review of malpractice records.
10. Recommendation for certification release, conditions, suspension, or corrective action.

ATU-CPAC may hold certificate release where EQA identifies serious concerns.

16. Standardization and Moderation

Standardization and moderation shall be used to improve consistency of assessment decisions.

Standardization may include:

1. Assessor briefing.
2. Review of assessment criteria.
3. Review of sample candidate work.
4. Agreement on rubric interpretation.
5. Discussion of borderline cases.
6. Review of feedback expectations.
7. Updates after appeals or complaints.
8. Annual assessor standardization.

Moderation may include:

1. Cross-checking marked work.
2. Reviewing result patterns.
3. Reviewing high and low scores.
4. Reviewing pass and fail decisions.
5. Recommending adjustment where justified.
6. Identifying assessor training needs.

17. Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration

ATU-CPAC supports fair assessment access while protecting assessment standards.

17.1 Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments may include:

1. Additional time.
2. Accessible assessment format.
3. Assistive technology.
4. Alternative room or seating arrangement.
5. Reader or scribe where appropriate.
6. Modified delivery method where validity is not compromised.

17.2 Special Consideration

Special consideration may be reviewed where a candidate experiences illness, emergency, technical disruption, or other verified circumstances affecting assessment performance.

Adjustments and special consideration must be documented, approved, applied fairly, and subject to quality assurance review.

18. Reassessment and Resubmission

Reassessment or resubmission may be allowed where permitted by the relevant program or certification scheme.

Reassessment rules shall define:

1. Eligibility for reassessment.
2. Number of attempts allowed.
3. Timeframe for reassessment.
4. Fees where applicable.
5. Feedback requirements.
6. Evidence that may be resubmitted.
7. Whether a new assessment task is required.
8. IQA or EQA requirements.
9. Impact on certification decision.

Reassessment must not compromise the integrity or level of the credential.

19. Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience-Based Assessment

Recognition of Prior Learning, referred to as RPL, may be used where approved by the relevant program or certification scheme.

RPL evidence may include:

1. Previous training.
2. Professional experience.
3. Work samples.
4. Portfolio evidence.
5. Professional certifications.
6. Projects or publications.
7. Employer confirmation.
8. Professional interview.
9. Practical demonstration where required.

RPL does not automatically result in certification or certificate award. RPL decisions must be evidence-based, documented, quality assured, and aligned with approved standards.

20. Assessment Security and Confidentiality

ATU-CPAC, providers, assessment centers, assessors, IQAs, and EQAs must protect assessment security and confidentiality.

Protected materials include:

1. Examination papers.
2. Question banks.
3. Marking schemes.
4. Rubrics.
5. Candidate submissions.
6. Assessment results.
7. IQA and EQA reports.
8. Assessment passwords or access links.
9. Proctoring records.
10. Candidate personal data.
11. Investigation records.
12. Appeals records.

Assessment security breaches must be reported immediately to ATU-CPAC.

21. Academic Integrity, AI Use, and Malpractice

Candidates must submit authentic evidence and comply with academic integrity rules.

Malpractice may include:

1. Cheating.
2. Plagiarism.
3. Impersonation.
4. Collusion.
5. Falsified evidence.
6. Unauthorized use of assessment materials.
7. Unauthorized use of AI tools.
8. Misuse of references or sources.
9. Bribery or improper influence.
10. Breach of assessment security.
11. Submission of work completed by another person.

ATU-CPAC may investigate suspected malpractice and may apply actions including warning, reassessment, result cancellation, certificate hold, suspension, withdrawal, revocation, or referral to ATU leadership.

22. Complaints and Appeals

Candidates may submit complaints or appeals according to ATU-CPAC procedures.

Appeals may relate to:

1. Assessment result.
2. Assessment administration.
3. Reasonable adjustment decision.
4. Special consideration decision.
5. RPL decision.
6. Reassessment decision.
7. Malpractice decision.
8. Certification decision linked to assessment.

Appeals should be submitted within 15 days from notification of the decision unless another approved procedure applies.

Appeals shall be reviewed impartially by persons not involved in the original assessment decision.

23. Assessment Records

Assessment records shall be accurate, secure, complete, and retrievable.

Assessment records may include:

1. Candidate registration.
2. Identity verification record.
3. Assessment submission.
4. Marking record.
5. Assessor feedback.
6. Result sheet.
7. IQA record.
8. EQA record where applicable.
9. Reasonable adjustment record.
10. Special consideration record.
11. Reassessment record.
12. Malpractice record.
13. Appeal record.
14. Certification decision record.
15. Certificate issuance checklist.
16. Registry entry record.

Records shall be retained according to ATU policy, ATU-CPAC requirements, legal requirements, and partner requirements where applicable.

24. Responsibilities of ATU-CPAC

ATU-CPAC shall:

1. Approve assessment standards and procedures.
2. Approve assessment methods and instruments.
3. Define assessment criteria and evidence rules.
4. Approve or recognize assessors where required.
5. Monitor assessment quality.
6. Ensure IQA and EQA where required.
7. Protect assessment security.
8. Review assessment complaints and appeals fairly.
9. Investigate malpractice and maladministration.
10. Monitor assessment performance data.
11. Maintain assessment and certification records.
12. Improve assessment systems based on evidence.

25. Responsibilities of Providers and Assessment Centers

Approved providers and authorized assessment centers shall:

1. Use only approved assessments.
2. Operate only within approved scope.
3. Provide clear candidate instructions.
4. Verify candidate identity.
5. Use approved assessors.
6. Conduct IQA where required.
7. Protect assessment materials.
8. Maintain assessment records.
9. Report incidents and malpractice.
10. Apply reasonable adjustment procedures fairly.
11. Submit accurate results.
12. Cooperate with EQA and ATU-CPAC monitoring.
13. Avoid misleading assessment or certification claims.

26. Responsibilities of Assessors

Assessors shall:

1. Apply approved criteria and rubrics.
2. Make fair and evidence-based judgments.
3. Maintain impartiality.
4. Declare conflicts of interest.
5. Protect confidentiality.
6. Provide clear feedback where required.
7. Record decisions accurately.
8. Participate in standardization.
9. Cooperate with IQA and EQA.
10. Report suspected malpractice or irregularities.

27. Responsibilities of Candidates

Candidates shall:

1. Provide accurate registration information.
2. Follow assessment instructions.
3. Submit authentic evidence.
4. Respect assessment deadlines.
5. Declare use of AI tools where required.
6. Avoid cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, or collusion.
7. Respect confidentiality of assessment materials.
8. Request reasonable adjustments through approved procedures.
9. Submit complaints or appeals within approved timelines.
10. Use assessment results and certificates honestly.

28. Partner Assessment Requirements

Where assessment is linked to international, regional, or professional partners, the assessment shall comply with:

1. ATU authority.
2. ATU-CPAC standards.
3. Approved partner agreement.
4. Approved assessment rules.
5. Approved certificate wording.
6. Branding and logo rules.
7. Data sharing requirements.
8. Registry and verification rules.
9. Quality assurance requirements.
10. Partner reporting requirements.

No partner assessment, logo, recognition statement, or endorsement may be used unless formally authorized.

29. Review of Policy

This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier where required due to:

1. ATU Board decision.
2. Legal or regulatory change.
3. ATU-CPAC standards update.
4. Assessment performance trends.
5. IQA or EQA findings.
6. Complaints or appeals trends.
7. Malpractice or security incidents.
8. Registry or certification issues.
9. Partner requirements.
10. Stakeholder feedback.
11. Operational need.

30. Definitions

Final Policy Statement

ATU-CPAC Assessment Policy exists to ensure that assessment under the Arab Trainers Union framework is valid, reliable, fair, secure, impartial, and evidence-based.

Through approved assessment design, qualified assessors, internal and external quality assurance, secure administration, fair appeals, and accurate records, ATU-CPAC protects the credibility of ATU-issued certificates and professional certifications across Arab countries.