A systematic literature review on authentic assessment in higher education: Best practices for the development of 21st century skills, and policy considerations

Authentic assessment methods involve the application of real-world tasks to evaluate students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a way that replicates actual situations in which those would be utilized. This paper systematically reviews relevant literature from various disciplines in higher education, focusing on the development of 21st-century skills that can enhance students’ employability. The main objectives are to explore both reported effective implementation strategies of authentic assessment and the implications across different stakeholder groups-students, teaching staff, and policy makers. A sample of 94 articles was identified following the predefined inclusion criteria. Findings indicate that authentic assessment enhances key employability skills; at the same time, challenges have been identified for its effective implementation, including resistance from some stakeholders and the need for adequate training and resources. This study opens avenues for future research, presenting potential directions, as well as practical implications and policy recommendations emerging from a comprehensive thematic analysis. • We conducted a systematic review on how authentic assessment can develop 21stcentury skills. • Findings suggest authentic assessment enhances skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. • Key challenges include resistance, training needs, and cross-disciplinary implementation strategies. • There is a growing role of technology in implementing authentic assessments, particularly in online education. • Practical implications and policy considerations have been identified.