Types of assessments

Most of your subjects will have two or three assessments that you need to complete. This may include a mid-semester test or exam at the end of the semester, and might include assignments that you need to submit on a due date.

As an independent learner, you will be expected to:

  • find out what assessments you have and when they are due by looking on the LMS
  • listen out for any instructions given in your classes
  • take the initiative to start preparing for assessment tasks (without waiting for teachers to tell you how and when to do so)
  • ask questions if you are unsure about anything
  • independently plan, prioritise and manage tasks such as researching, drafting or revising

For each assessment task, take note of the:

  • due date and time
  • weighting (% value of the task to the overall subject mark)
  • length of the assessment (word count, page length, presentation time or exam length).

Tip: Explore tools for planning for assessments, such as a semester planner

Typical assessment types

Here are a few of the more common assessment tasks that you will encounter. Open the drop down links for more information and further resources on each.

    • Are the most common written task at university
    • Consist of an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion
    • Usually require you to take a position or make an argument.

    For more information explore our Essay writing resources.

    • Contain the results of a topic you have researched or investigated
    • May consist of sections with standard headings, such as Executive Summary, Introduction, Method, Findings, Discussion, Conclusion, or may have particular headings required by the subject
    • Often contain recommendations.

    For more information explore our Report writing resources.

    • Require you to review, not just describe, academic or scholarly literature and research
    • Relate to a specific topic or question.

    For more information explore our Literature review resources.

    • Are reference lists with short summaries of each source in the list
    • Frequently also contain a critique of each source.

    For more information explore our Annotated bibliography resources.

    • Are spoken tasks delivered to an audience
    • May be delivered individually or as part of a group.

    For more information explore our Oral presentation resources.

    • Look back at an experience, for example, a placement or an internship
    • Expect you to reflect on, to evaluate the experience, not merely describe it
    • Are usually written in the first person ‘I’.

    For more information explore our Reflective writing resources.

Hear from students on what surprised them about end-of semester assessment.

Students talk about end-of-semester

Assessments administered or due at the end of the semester can include exams, portfolios, presentations, group assignments, individual assignments and demonstrations.

Exams at the University of Melbourne usually occur at the end of the subject and typically draw on all the material you have studied in the semester.

Use the module menu to go the next section: Academic skills development, where we explore ways to build the skills that will help you succeed through your studies.