> This is the Markdown of a Backed Help Centre page, https://admin.backed.giving/help/assessor/deciding-whether-to-assess.md. Every page is listed at https://admin.backed.giving/help/llms.txt.

> This page uses Backed's default terms, such as Funding Round and Application Template. An organisation may rename them, so read each as your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

Some assessment rounds ask you to decide whether you will assess an application before you see
it. When a round asks, `Decide whether to assess` is the first page you reach after selecting
`Assess`.

Labels that name `Application` use your organisation's own term if you've renamed it.

## Accepting the assignment comes first

In a round that asks you to accept each assignment, the row in `My Assessments` shows
`Awaiting acceptance` with `Accept` and `Decline` until you answer, and `Assess` is not offered.
Select `Accept` first: it brings you straight to this page when the round also asks you to decide
whether to assess. Declining an assignment is a different act from choosing `No` here — see
[Your assessor dashboard](assessor-home.md#accepting-or-declining-an-assignment).

## Make your decision

1. Go to `Assessments` and select `Assess` on the row.
2. Read the text at the top of the page. The organisation writes it, and it may say what assessing
   involves.
3. Under `Will you assess this Application?`, choose `Yes` or `No`.
4. Answer any questions below it. Your answers save as you go.
5. Select `Continue`. Backed checks that every required answer is there and shows
   `Check your decision`, with `Your decision` and `Your answers`.
6. Select `Submit`, or `Back` to change something.

Nothing is recorded until you select `Submit`. If you leave before then, nothing is sent.

## If you choose No

The assessment's status becomes `Declined Assessment`. Opening it again shows
`You declined this Assessment`: no further action is needed.

## If you choose Yes

Backed takes you to the next step the round asks for: the conflict of interest declaration, the
confidentiality agreement, or the assessment itself.

## After the round's Close date

Once the assessment round's `Close` date has passed, the page shows
`The Close date for this Assessment Round has passed, so this step can no longer be changed.`
Your earlier answers are shown, and nothing can be changed.

## See also

- [Conflict of interest](conflict-of-interest.md)
- [Your assessor dashboard](assessor-home.md)