Large-scale assessments (LSAs) are vital educational surveys extensively utilized to shape policies and furnish substantial datasets for educational researchers. These assessments delve into comparing skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors across diverse populations and subpopulations. Unlike individual-focused large-scale testing programs, LSAs concentrate on group-level scores, influencing their test design, sampling strategies, and results reporting. Their utility spans cross-country comparisons, school monitoring, trend reporting, and tracking progress towards educational development goals.
 

National, regional, and international large-scale assessments play distinct roles in evaluating education systems. Instruments like NAPLAN, NAS, NAP, and NAEP analyze system-level performance within countries, while assessments like TIMMS, PISA, and PIRLS facilitate cross-country comparisons. Typically, these assessments involve statistically representative student samples, along with comprehensive background data on students, teachers, and learning environments. The analyzed data aids in policy decisions, offering insights into the reasons behind varying student performance levels.
 

In the context of India, the National Education Policy 2020, Paragraph 4.41, underscores the establishment of PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development). As a National Assessment Centre, PARAKH assumes a pivotal role in setting norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment across all recognized school boards in India. Its responsibilities encompass guiding the State Achievement Survey (SAS), conducting the National Achievement Survey (NAS), monitoring nationwide learning outcomes, and encouraging alignment of school board assessment patterns with 21st-century skill requirements.
 

Aligned with the mandates of NEP 2020, PARAKH actively engages in several large-scale assessment areas:

I. National Achievement Survey (NAS): A comprehensive assessment initiative aimed at evaluating the academic performance of students on a national scale.

II. Foundational Learning Study (FLS): Focused on assessing the foundational learning levels of students, particularly emphasizing fundamental skills essential for further education.

III. State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS): A state-level assessment effort designed to gauge educational achievements and outcomes within specific regions, providing valuable insights for educational planning and improvement.