简体中文
EnglishWhat is Cambridge Assessment Network and Research?
Updated
Cambridge Assessment Network and Research is the professional development and research arm of Cambridge University Press and Assessment. It serves two related audiences: assessment professionals who want structured training in assessment principles and practice, and anyone who needs access to assessment research and publications. If you work in education, testing, or qualifications and want to understand how assessment works or improve how you design and use it, this is the site for you.
The two main areas
The site is organised around two connected purposes.
The Assessment Network
This is the professional development side. It "equips assessment professionals with a clear understanding of assessment principles and practice," supporting practitioners worldwide who are "working hard to get assessments right for learners."
The stated aim is broader than technique. The Network argues that "effective assessment is about more than just getting questions right" — valid and reliable assessment is framed as a way to create "fair and inclusive opportunities for learners" and "truly equitable meaningful outcomes."
Training is delivered through courses. One example visible on the site is A103: Assessment Data and Statistics, described as "now available on-demand." The course is positioned around turning data into "meaningful assessment insights."
Research
The research side publishes assessment research, including the periodical Research Matters — the site lists "Research Matters Issue 41 April 2026" as a current item. The site states that "research is at the heart of all our qualifications and programmes," so the research function is not separate from the qualifications work but underpins it.
Who it is for
| Audience | What they get |
|---|---|
| Assessment professionals | Courses on assessment principles and practice, including data and statistics |
| Educators and qualification designers | Frameworks for building fair, valid, reliable assessments |
| Researchers and policy readers | Research publications such as Research Matters |
| The global assessment community | A network with members "across all over the world" sharing practice |
The site's own framing of impact is worth noting, because it tells you what the training is meant to change. Practitioners quoted on the page describe using assessment "as an integral part of the learning process," creating "a balanced and a fair meaningful assessment" so every learner "regardless of their background or skill level has an equal opportunity to succeed," and gaining confidence from "being part of a global network."
What you can actually do there
- Take a course — for example A103: Assessment Data and Statistics, available on-demand.
- Read research — including issues of Research Matters.
- Join the professional community — the Network is presented as a global group of assessment practitioners.
- Connect assessment to learning outcomes — a recurring theme is aligning assessment design with what learners are meant to achieve.
Context worth knowing
The Assessment Network is part of Cambridge University Press and Assessment, which matters if you care about the provenance of the guidance: the material sits alongside the organisation that develops Cambridge qualifications and programmes, rather than being an independent training provider.
One limitation to keep in mind: the site is in English and aimed at a professional audience. If you are looking for introductory material for learners or parents, or for free open-access teaching resources, this is not primarily what the Network provides — its focus is on developing the expertise of people who design, deliver, or research assessment.