A competency-based learning strategy emphasizes the student demonstrating desired learning outcomes as the core of the learning process.

It primarily focuses on a student's development through the curriculum at their rate, depth, etc. Students advance when their competencies are demonstrated.

It is related to mastery-based learning, with the main distinction being that mastery learning might be academic. Competency-based learning frequently focuses on observable skills or "competencies," but mastery learning may be more likely to focus on concepts than skills.