The issue of assessment in music education in the secondary school is one of concern in a range of contexts, including teaching, learning, accountability, policy, and politics. In order to investigate assessment in the secondary school, there is a need to understand what assessment is; what the terminologies involved mean; what the implications of assessment are for learners, teachers, program organizers, administrators, legislators, and other interested stakeholders; and what constitutes secondary school music. This article considers the following issues in student assessment: the context of assessment, the uses and purposes of assessment, legitimizing assessment, and assessment and music pedagogy.