COMPEL Glossary / competency-based-assessment
Competency-Based Assessment
Competency-based assessment is an evaluation approach that measures whether a person can demonstrate specific professional skills and knowledge in realistic practice contexts, rather than testing theoretical knowledge through traditional examinations alone.
What this means in practice
It typically uses rubrics that define observable performance criteria at different proficiency levels and may include practical exercises, case studies, simulations, and portfolio reviews alongside written assessments. For AI governance professionals, competency-based assessment ensures that certification reflects actual capability to practice, not just ability to memorize methodology content. In COMPEL, competency-based assessment is the foundation of the certification evaluation system across all four levels, with the approach detailed in Module 3.5, Article 3 on curriculum design and Module 3.6, Article 9 on scoring rubrics and evaluation criteria.
Why it matters
Certifications that test only theoretical knowledge through traditional examinations produce practitioners who can recall methodology content but may not be able to apply it in realistic practice contexts. Competency-based assessment ensures that certification reflects actual capability to practice, using practical exercises, case studies, and portfolio reviews that demonstrate skill application rather than just knowledge retention.
How COMPEL uses it
Competency-based assessment is the foundation of the COMPEL certification evaluation system across all four levels, designed within the People pillar's training architecture. Assessment rubrics define observable performance criteria at different proficiency levels. The Evaluate stage verifies that certified practitioners are demonstrating competency in practice, and the Learn stage captures assessment data to continuously refine evaluation criteria and rubric design.
Related Terms
Other glossary terms mentioned in this entry's definition and context.