Assessment types

Every skill is scored using an assessment type. Choose the one that matches how the skill is best observed. You can change a skill’s assessment type as your needs evolve.

The types

• Binary — a simple yes/no: did they demonstrate the skill or not. Best for clear, pass/fail behaviors.
• Rating scale — a graded score (e.g. 1–5 or 0–100). Best when proficiency is a matter of degree.
• Composite — a skill whose score rolls up from its child skills. Best for a broad capability made of smaller skills (see skill trees).

Advanced types

These cover more specific situations. Use them when the scenario fits — otherwise the basic types above are usually all you need.

• Multi-trial — several yes/no trials rolled into a single score (e.g. “8 of 10 correct”). Fits skills that are best judged across repeated attempts rather than a single observation.
• Binary with prompts — a yes/no assessment paired with guiding prompts that spell out exactly what the observer should check for. Fits cases where you want different assessors to evaluate the same behavior the same way.

Choosing one

Start simple: use binary unless the skill genuinely needs nuance, and rating scale when proficiency is a matter of degree. Use composite to track a skill tree as a whole, and reach for an advanced type only when its particular scenario applies — you decide whether it’s worth the extra structure.