Book Review - 500 Tips on Assessment

1. Introduction In the high-stakes world of higher and further education - where assessment shapes not only grades but student confidence, career trajectories, and institutional reputations - finding a practical, compassionate, and evidence-informed guide is invaluable. 500 Tips on Assessment (2nd edition) by Phil Race, Sally Brown, and Brenda Smith delivers precisely that: a comprehensive, accessible, and refreshingly human handbook for educators navigating the complex terrain of student evaluation. Far from a dry manual, this book blends pragmatic advice with deep pedagogical insight, making it an essential companion for anyone involved in teaching or assessing learners. 2. Author & Context Phil Race, Sally Brown, and Brenda Smith are seasoned experts in higher education pedagogy, with decades of combined experience as university lecturers, staff developers, consultants, and leaders in national teaching and learning initiatives (including roles at the Higher Education Academy). The…