The key word assess is used three (3) times throughout the HSC PDHPE syllabus. The word assess, provides the foundation meaning behind the term assessment, such that your assessment tasks are used to assess your knowledge and understanding of content. Assess is listed in the BOSTES glossary of key words with the following definition:
Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size
They key word assess therefore requires you to make comments on the extent to which something works or whether it works at all. The key word assess is similar to the key word evaluate, which means:
Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of
The difference between the two terms is that the key word assess is missing the required criteria. This does not mean that when you assess something you do not use criteria, it simply means you do not have to provide the same amount of detail to back up your judgement.
Often, however, the key word assess is used with phrases such as “to what extent” meaning you are to consider if it works greatly or only a little bit, while the key word evaluate is used to determine if something has an effect at all. As such the key term evaluate often comes with a list of questions to be researched and answered in the HSC PDHPE syllabus.
The key word assess can also be used to focus on outcomes, rather than the extent. As such questions can ask you to determine the outcome of a particular event, such as the growing and ageing population in Australia.
When answering a HSC PDHPE questions with the key term assess it is important to use connecting words such as: therefore, because, however, for instance, for example, or as a result. You should also conclude with a very clear judgement that begins with one of these terms, personally I like “therefore” to conclude and make a judgement. If you are struggling please us the Scaffold for assess.
The key word assess appears at the following location in the HSC PDHPE syllabus:
Health Priorities in Australia
- assess the impact of a growing and ageing population on:
- the health system and services
- health service workforce
- carers of the elderly
- volunteer organisations.
Factors Affecting Performance
- assess the relevance of the types of training and training methods for a variety of sports by asking questions such as:
- which types of training are best suited to different sports?
- which training method(s) would be most appropriate? Why?
- how would this training affect performance?
