assessment-design

Define assessment types, rubric criteria, and feedback principles aligned to learning goals.

364|53|Updated May 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill assessment-design-cosmicstack-labs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: assessment-design
Source: https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills/tree/main/categories/education-learning/assessment-design
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill assessment-design-cosmicstack-labs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

It helps educators create assessments that accurately measure learning outcomes and produce actionable signals for improvement rather than vague or unfair grading.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Assessment planning: Choose appropriate assessment types (diagnostic, formative, summative, authentic, competency-based) and align them to instructional timing and goals.
  • Rubric construction: Build analytic rubrics with clear criteria, observable language, and calibrated performance levels, or use holistic rubrics for faster scoring.
  • Feedback that drives progress: Deliver timely, specific, actionable, kind, and forward-looking feedback, plus support competency-based advancement through mastery.

Quick Start

Generate a complete assessment plan and rubric for a unit by specifying the learning objectives and assessment type, then include criteria and feedback guidance tailored to your learners.

Frequently Asked Questions about assessment-design

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I create rubrics for authentic and competency-based assessments?

To create rubrics for authentic and competency-based assessments, define clear criteria using observable language and calibrated performance levels. Analytic rubrics provide detailed scoring across criteria, while holistic rubrics enable faster scoring of overall performance tasks.

What is the best way to align formative assessment types with learning outcomes?

The best way to align formative assessment with learning outcomes is to specify your instructional goals and timing first. Choose appropriate assessment types like diagnostic placement or ongoing formative checks to ensure measurements reflect real learning goals.

How do I write feedback that drives learning progress during grading cycles?

Feedback that drives learning progress must be timely, specific, actionable, kind, and forward-looking. Designing feedback guidance during assessment planning ensures it can be reused across grading cycles to support competency-based advancement through mastery.

Can I use this assessment design approach for both diagnostic placement and summative evaluation?

Yes, this assessment design approach supports diagnostic placement, ongoing formative checks, end-of-unit summative evaluation, and authentic performance tasks. It requires clear alignment to learning objectives to ensure fair grading across all assessment types.

Do I need defined learning objectives before building an assessment plan?

Yes, you need clearly defined learning objectives before building an assessment plan. The assessment design process requires clear alignment to learning goals to generate appropriate rubric criteria and actionable feedback guidance tailored to your learners.