EQA stands for External Quality Assurance. It is a systematic process that ensures the quality and validity of assessments, examinations, or evaluations conducted by external bodies. EQA is primarily used in educational and professional settings to maintain and enhance the credibility and reliability of the assessment processes and outcomes.
In the context of education, EQA typically involves external organizations or agencies overseeing the assessment practices of educational institutions or awarding bodies. These organizations evaluate the performance of the educational institutions and ensure they adhere to established standards and criteria. EQA also verifies the consistency, fairness, and accuracy of assessments to guarantee that individuals' achievements are genuine and reflect their knowledge and skills accurately.
EQA encompasses various activities such as reviewing assessment policies, procedures, and materials, inspecting examination processes, monitoring marking or grading practices, and providing constructive feedback and recommendations for improvements. It involves audits, site visits, data analysis, and collaborative engagement with stakeholders involved in the assessment process.
The goals of EQA are to ensure the fairness, reliability, and comparability of assessments, promote excellence in educational practices and outcomes, and increase public confidence in the credibility of certifications or qualifications awarded by educational institutions or professional bodies. EQA is a crucial component of quality assurance systems in education, as it helps safeguard standards and maintain trust in the educational system by holding institutions accountable for the quality of assessments they undertake.
