Beyond the accuracy gap in self-assessment: exploring reasons for (in)accuracy and the role of individual differences
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2025
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Routledge - Taylor and Francis
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Pinedo, L., Panadero, E., Fernández-Ruiz, J., & García-Pérez, D. (2025). Beyond the Accuracy Gap in Self-assessment: Exploring Reasons for (In)Accuracy and the Role of Individual Differences. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 32(4), 462–484. https://doi.org/10.1080/0969594X.2025.2565384
Abstract
This study undertakes a dual exploration, examining the effects of individual differences on self-assessment accuracy, and students’ perspectives on the reasons for their inaccuracies. A total of 112 psychology students self-scored an essay, then received the instructor’s score and were interviewed. Results revealed: (1) a weak positive correlation between self- and instructor scores, with most students slightly underestimating; (2) a significant effect of essay score on accuracy, as higher achievers tended to underestimate and lower achievers to overestimate; (3) a small but significant effect of learning-oriented self-regulation on accuracy, with higher scorers tending to underestimate; (4) inaccuracies were rarely attributed to assessment criteria but instead reflected internal perceptions; (5) high achievers justified underestimation through pessimistic self-perceptions, whereas low achievers explained overestimation through optimism and overconfidence. The findings reveal that self-assessment is as much an affective process as it is a cognitive skill.
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Spanish Ministry of Universities (Ministerio de Universidades) National FPU Call (Formaci\u00F3n de Profesorado Universitario), personal grant, reference: [FPU19/04661]. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ministerio de Econom\u00EDa y Competitividad) National I+D Call (Convocatoria Excelencia) project reference [EDU2016-79714-P]. Spanish National R+D call from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovaci\u00F3n y Universidades (Generaci\u00F3n del conocimiento 2020), Reference number: [PID2019-108982GB-I00]. Basque Government Call for Grants to support the activities of research groups of the Basque University System (2022\u20132025) project reference: IT1624-22.
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