Research Activities
There are three main data collection activities within TESTA:

• the Programme Assessment Audit which maps the student experience over a three year degree programme;
• the Assessment Experience Questionnaire, which measures variables like the clarity of goals and standards, the quality and quantity of feedback, and student approaches to learning, and their overall satisfaction;
• Focus Groups with students which provide a rich picture of student experience on the degree programme.

Pilot Interventions
These will be devised with programme teams as the research data is analysed and key issues emerge. Interventions may involve adjusting the balance between formative and summative assesment on a programme, or strategies for students to internalise criteria and standards "what is good?", or capstone modules which assess high-level learning outcomes across a series of interconnected modules, for example.

Researcher Network
The TESTA team will develop apprentice researchers who become skilled in gathering and analysing data, using qualitative and quantitative software, working in a research team, disseminating findings and other associated research tasks.

QA Strategic Work
The process of changing programme assessment regimes will involve devising strategies to fast track change without compromising quality, at departmental, faculty and university level. The TESTA project leaders and consultant will work with the PVC Senior Managers' Network to facilitate the exchange of ideas around assessment and QA arrangements. They will liaise with faculty members responsible for quality to ensure that piloting assessment change synergises with quality processes, and tests the boundaries of QA and change.

Case Studies and Consultancy
Our consultant, Professor Graham Gibbs, will provide consultancy support to four other institutions wanting to engage in similar change processes.