Types of assessments

Assessment tasks may include essays, reports, literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, oral presentations and reflective papers or journals.

At the University of Melbourne, your subjects are likely to include a range of assessment types and approaches.

Part of being an independent learner is familiarising yourself with the type of assessment tasks you have by looking at the information on the LMS, noting any instructions given in your classes and asking questions if you are unsure about anything.

Most 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.

As an independent learner, you will be expected to prioritise tasks and manage your own time. For each assessment task, take note of the:

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

Tip: plan your assessment tasks on a semester planner

Typical assessment tasks include:

  • Essays
    • 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.

  • Reports
    • 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.

  • Literature reviews
    • 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.

  • Annotated bibliographies
    • 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.

  • Oral presentations
    • 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.

  • Reflective papers or journals
    • 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.

End-of-semester assessments

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.

Let's hear from students on what surprised them about end-of semester assessment.